Fatal Stabbing in Osaka’s Dotonbori District Leaves One Dead, Two Injured

A 17-year-old male has died after a stabbing incident in the popular Dotonbori entertainment district of Osaka, Japan, on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Two other young men were also injured in the attack. The incident occurred near the iconic Glico Running Man sign, a well-known tourist landmark.

Details of the Incident

According to reports from local media, including the Asahi Shimbun and the Yomiuri Shimbun, police responded to an emergency call around midnight on Sunday reporting a stabbing near a building on Shinsaibashi-suji Road in Osaka City. Upon arrival, officers found three 17-year-old males suffering from stab wounds. All three were transported to a hospital, where one was later pronounced dead from multiple stab wounds to the chest. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported the incident.

Suspect Apprehended

Police apprehended a suspect, a man in his early 20s, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the scene on Monday morning and placed him under arrest. MSN reports that the suspect was known to the victims and a dispute preceded the stabbing.

Suspect’s Statement

The suspect reportedly told police that he “was trying to threaten” the victims and “did not intend to cause death,” according to The Yomiuri Shimbun.

Dotonbori and the Glico Running Man Sign

The stabbing occurred in a bustling area of Dotonbori, near the Glico Running Man sign, a popular spot for tourists visiting Osaka. The area is also known as a gathering place for young people. The Asahi Shimbun also reported on recent fire code violations in buildings in the Dotonbori district.

Ongoing Investigation

The Osaka prefectural police are investigating the case as a homicide. The weapon used in the stabbing has not yet been recovered and police have warned that it may still be in the suspect’s possession.