Over 20 Hospitalized After Unknown Substance Sprayed in Tokyo Mall

More than 20 people were hospitalized after an unknown substance was allegedly sprayed inside a shopping mall in Tokyo's Ginza area, causing a strong smell and throat irritation.

25 May, 04:21 — 25 May, 11:30

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Why this matters

This incident highlights potential public safety concerns in high-traffic commercial areas and the challenges authorities face in quickly identifying unknown threats. It could lead to increased security measures in public spaces and raises questions about the motive behind such an act.

Key entitiesTokyo Fire Department Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Ginza Six Yusuke Koide

The Story

What 36 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

An unknown substance was sprayed in a luxury shopping complex in Tokyo's Ginza area.
Over 20 people experienced discomfort, primarily throat pain, and were taken to the hospital.
The incident occurred on Monday, May 25th, 2026.
Police and fire officials are investigating the incident.

Key claims5 agreed · 1 unverified

✓

At least 20 people were injured or felt unwell.

agreed·klix-bavijesti-me24urSCMPyle-uutiset+31

✓

The incident occurred at the Ginza Six luxury shopping center.

agreed·24urSCMPyle-uutisetBBCtvn24+2

✓

A man sprayed the substance.

agreed·klix-baBBCmorgunbladidbalkan-webdr-dk+16

✓

The substance was sprayed near an ATM.

agreed·BBCjutarnji-listobservadornation-thailandder-standard+4

The substance is suspected to be tear gas.

unverified·SCMP

✓

26 people felt unwell and complained of sudden throat pain.

agreed·vijesti-meyle-uutisetSCMPNHK World

Where they diverge

Exact number of people hospitalized

SCMPmainichi-englishBBC

19 people were taken to the hospital.

vijesti-me24uryle-uutisetAPYahoo

Over 20 people were taken to the hospital.

klix-bamorgunbladidbalkan-webtvn24indian-express+18 moreindex-hrjutarnji-listobservadorder-standardaktuality-sknewsbeasthotnewsdagbladetiefimeridanaftemporikidh-les-sportsdigi24The Guardiandelfi-ltaftonbladetchannel-news-asiale-figarostraits-times

Approximately 20 people were injured/taken to the hospital.

Location where the substance was sprayed

BBCjutarnji-listobservadornation-thailandder-standard+3 moreaktuality-skhotnewsThe Guardian

The substance was sprayed near an ATM.

klix-bavijesti-me24urSCMPyle-uutiset+21 moremainichi-englishAPYahoomorgunbladidbalkan-webdr-dktvn24indian-expressindex-hrnewsbeastorfdagbladetiefimeridanaftemporikidh-les-sportsdigi24delfi-ltaftonbladetchannel-news-asiale-figarostraits-times

The substance was sprayed inside the building or in the shopping area generally.

Nature of the substance

SCMP

The substance is suspected to be tear gas.

BBCjapan-timesNHK World

A strong or irritating smell was reported.

klix-bavijesti-me24uryle-uutisetmainichi-english+27 moreAPYahoomorgunbladidbalkan-webdr-dktvn24indian-expressindex-hrjutarnji-listobservadornation-thailandder-standardaktuality-sknewsbeastorfhotnewsdagbladetiefimeridanaftemporikidh-les-sportsdigi24The Guardiandelfi-ltaftonbladetchannel-news-asiale-figarostraits-times

The substance is unknown or unidentified.

Coverage gaps

Specific symptoms reported by the victims, such as sudden throat pain and feeling unwell.

Reportedvijesti-me24uryle-uutisetSCMPtvn24NHK World

Missingklix-bamainichi-englishBBC+27

The name of a police spokesperson, Yusuke Koide, confirming details.

Reportedhotnewsnewsbeastiefimeridanaftemporiki

Missingklix-bavijesti-me24ur+29

Coverage matrix(36 sources)

1–10 of 36

	AP	BBC	The Guardian	yle-uutiset	dr-dk	SCMP	aftonbladet	le-figaro	tvn24	der-standard
Exact number of people hospitalized
Location where the substance was sprayed
Specific symptoms reported by the victims, such as sudden throat pain and feeling unwell.
The name of a police spokesperson, Yusuke Koide, confirming details.

Covered Divergent Not mentioned

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (92/100)

36 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 4/5 buckets covered25/33

Far L2

Far Left (2)

The Guardianaftonbladet

Left15

Left (15)

vijesti-meyle-uutisetmainichi-englishBBCYahoodr-dktvn24indian-express+7 more

Center11

Center (11)

klix-ba24urSCMPAPbalkan-webjutarnji-listaktuality-skorf+3 more

Right8

Right (8)

morgunbladidobservadornation-thailandnaftemporikidh-les-sportschannel-news-asiale-figarostraits-times

Far R

Geographic diversity— 26 regions34/34

Japan3Greece3UK2US2Croatia2Austria2Romania2Singapore2Bosnia1Montenegro1Slovenia1Hong Kong1Finland1Iceland1Albania1Denmark1Poland1India1Portugal1Thailand1Slovakia1Norway1Belgium1Lithuania1Sweden1France1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

guardian

aftonbladet

der-standard

mainichi-english

tvn24

index-hr

newsbeast

dagbladet

iefimerida

vijesti-me

yle-uutiset

bbc

yahoo

dr-dk

indian-express

hotnews

japan-times

klix-ba

24ur

scmp

balkan-web

jutarnji-list

aktuality-sk

orf

digi24

delfi-lt

nhk

nation-thailand

dh-les-sports

channel-news-asia

straits-times

morgunbladid

observador

naftemporiki

le-figaro

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

The GuardianleftleftneutralMostly Factualneutral, factual reporting of events

aftonbladetcenter-leftcenter-leftneutral—neutral, factual reporting of events

der-standard

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage is largely factual and descriptive, focusing on reporting the incident's details without significant political framing or commentary, resulting in a balanced overall lean.

Sources

Showing 11 of 36 sources

APVery High15d ago

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area - AP News

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area AP News

Read full article →

BBCHigh15d ago

At least 19 people taken to hospital after 'strong smell' reported at Tokyo mall

Police say a man sprayed a substance at an ATM in the luxury Ginza 6 shopping centre.

Read full article →

The GuardianMostly Factual16d ago

About 20 people injured after man sprays unknown substance near ATM in Tokyo mall

Roads around shopping district of Ginza were blocked off and people were taken away in stretchers About 20 people were injured at a luxury shopping complex in central Tokyo on Monday after a man sprayed a substance inside the building, officials in Japan said. A Tokyo police spokesperson said a man sprayed a substance at an ATM on the ground floor, while a local fire department official said “around 20 people were injured” after a report of a “smell”. Continue reading...

By Agence France-Presse

Read full article →

SCMPMostly Factual15d ago

19 taken to hospital in Japan after suspected tear gas released in Tokyo mall

A suspected tear gas incident at Tokyo’s Ginza Six luxury shopping centre left 26 people feeling unwell on Monday, prompting a large emergency response in one of Japan’s most famous commercial districts. The incident took place around noon at the mall in Tokyo’s Chuo ward after police received an emergency call reporting an irritating smell and people coughing inside it, Japanese media reported. Nineteen of the 26 people affected were taken to hospital after complaining of symptoms including...

By SCMP’s Asia desk

Read full article →

YahooMostly Factual15d ago

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area

Read full article →

indian-expressMostly Factual16d ago

Panic at Tokyo’s Ginza Mall after a man sprays substance leaving at least 20 injured

Read full article →

straits-timesMostly Factual16d ago

Around 20 injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall: Officials - The Straits Times

Around 20 injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall: Officials The Straits Times

Read full article →

mainichi-englishMostly Factual15d ago

19 taken to hospital after alleged spraying incident in Tokyo's Ginza area - 毎日新聞

19 taken to hospital after alleged spraying incident in Tokyo's Ginza area 毎日新聞

Read full article →

japan-timesMostly Factual16d ago

Mysterious odor at luxury mall in Ginza leaves at least 15 feeling unwell

Police and the Tokyo Fire Department are investigating the cause of the odor.

Read full article →

channel-news-asiaMostly Factual16d ago

Around 20 injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall

Read full article →

nation-thailandMixed16d ago

Central Tokyo Shopping Complex Locked Down after Liquid Sprayed near ATM - Nation Thailand

Central Tokyo Shopping Complex Locked Down after Liquid Sprayed near ATM Nation Thailand

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: NHK World · 25 May, 03:53|Full coverage: 36 · 12h|Window: 12h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

NHK World25 May, 03:53First to report

【中継】東京銀座「GINZA SIX」で“刺激臭”複数人が体調不良

japan-times25 May, 04:21

Mysterious odor at luxury mall in Ginza leaves at least 15 feeling unwell

1h later

straits-times25 May, 05:42

Around 20 injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall: Officials - The Straits Times

le-figaro25 May, 05:57

À Tokyo, une vingtaine de blessés après qu'un homme a pulvérisé une substance dans un centre commercial

channel-news-asia25 May, 05:58

About 20 people injured after man sprays unknown substance near ATM in Tokyo mall

digi2425 May, 06:37

Aproximativ 20 de persoane rănite la Tokyo, după ce un bărbat a pulverizat o substanţă într-un centru comercial de lux

dh-les-sports25 May, 06:48

Un homme pulvérise une substance dans un centre commercial de Tokyo, plusieurs blessés

naftemporiki25 May, 06:55

Συναγερμός στο Τόκιο: Άνδρας ψέκασε άγνωστη ουσία σε εμπορικό κέντρο – Τουλάχιστον 20 τραυματίες

iefimerida25 May, 07:02

Τρόμος στο Τόκιο: Ανδρας ψέκασε άγνωστη ουσία σε εμπορικό κέντρο, 20 τραυματίες [βίντεο]

dagbladet25 May, 07:08

Mystisk lukt: Flere skadd

hotnews25 May, 07:13

Panică într-un centru comercial de lux din Tokyo, după ce un bărbat a pulverizat o substanță lângă un bancomat

orf25 May, 07:17

Substanz in Einkaufszentrum in Tokio versprüht: Verletzte

newsbeast25 May, 07:22

Τουλάχιστον 20 τραυματίες, όταν άνδρας ψέκασε άγνωστη ουσία σε εμπορικό κέντρο του Τόκιο

aktuality-sk25 May, 07:25

Muž nastriekal neznámu látku na bankomat v nákupnom centre v Tokiu. Poranil približne dvadsať ľudí

der-standard25 May, 07:28

Substanz in Einkaufszentrum in Tokio versprüht: Rund 20 Verletzte

nation-thailand25 May, 07:38

Central Tokyo Shopping Complex Locked Down after Liquid Sprayed near ATM - Nation Thailand

observador25 May, 07:58

Tóquio. Homem pulveriza substância e faz 20 feridos

jutarnji-list25 May, 08:03

Muškarac nepoznatom tvari poprskao bankomat, više od 20 ljudi ozlijeđeno, policija sve blokirala!

index-hr25 May, 08:07

Muškarac sprejem proširio nepoznatu tvar u središtu Tokija, 20-ak ozlijeđenih

indian-express25 May, 08:20

Panic at Tokyo’s Ginza Mall after a man sprays substance leaving at least 20 injured

tvn2425 May, 08:23

Rozpylił coś w centrum handlowym. "20 osób poszkodowanych"

dr-dk25 May, 09:14

Mand skaber kaos i japansk indkøbscenter efter at have sprayet mystisk indhold på gæsterne

balkan-web25 May, 09:42

Alarm në Tokio! Burri i spërkati me një substancë të panjohur, 20 të plagosur në një qendër tregtare

morgunbladid25 May, 10:06

20 slasaðir eftir atvik í verslunamiðstöð

AP25 May, 10:55

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area - AP News

Yahoo25 May, 10:55

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area

BBC25 May, 11:08

At least 19 people taken to hospital after 'strong smell' reported at Tokyo mall

mainichi-english25 May, 11:15

19 taken to hospital after alleged spraying incident in Tokyo's Ginza area - 毎日新聞

yle-uutiset25 May, 11:19

Yli 20 sairaalaan, kun henkilö väitetysti suihkutti ainetta Tokiossa

SCMP25 May, 11:30

19 taken to hospital in Japan after suspected tear gas released in Tokyo mall

24ur25 May, 12:22

Začelo jih je boleti grlo, več kot 20 jih je končalo v bolnišnici

2h later

vijesti-me25 May, 14:45

U Tokiju zbog nepoznate supstance hospitalizovano više od 20 osoba

1h later

klix-ba25 May, 16:14Latest update

Muškarac poprskao sumnjivu supstancu unutar tržnog centra u Tokiju, povrijeđeno 20 osoba

Story evolution

The narrative shifted from a general 'strong smell' and 'feeling unwell' to a more specific account of a man spraying a substance, with details emerging about the location (near an ATM) and the number of people hospitalized.

Initial Reports of Odor and IllnessMay 25 morning (before 11:00 UTC)

Early reports focused on a mysterious odor and multiple people feeling unwell, with initial numbers of affected individuals varying.

Confirmation of Substance Spraying and HospitalizationsMay 25 morning (11:00 UTC onwards)

Later reports confirmed a man sprayed an unknown substance, leading to around 20 or more hospitalizations, often specifying the Ginza Six mall and an ATM as the location.

Over 20 Hospitalized After Unknown Substance Sprayed in Tokyo Mall

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims5 agreed · 1 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix(36 sources)

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area - AP News

At least 19 people taken to hospital after 'strong smell' reported at Tokyo mall

About 20 people injured after man sprays unknown substance near ATM in Tokyo mall

19 taken to hospital in Japan after suspected tear gas released in Tokyo mall

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area

Panic at Tokyo’s Ginza Mall after a man sprays substance leaving at least 20 injured

Around 20 injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall: Officials - The Straits Times

19 taken to hospital after alleged spraying incident in Tokyo's Ginza area - 毎日新聞

Mysterious odor at luxury mall in Ginza leaves at least 15 feeling unwell

Around 20 injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall

Central Tokyo Shopping Complex Locked Down after Liquid Sprayed near ATM - Nation Thailand

Coverage Timeline

【中継】東京 銀座「GINZA SIX」で“刺激臭”複数人が体調不良

Mysterious odor at luxury mall in Ginza leaves at least 15 feeling unwell

Around 20 injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall: Officials - The Straits Times

À Tokyo, une vingtaine de blessés après qu'un homme a pulvérisé une substance dans un centre commercial

Around 20 injured after spraying incident in Tokyo mall

Misstänkt sprejattack i Tokyo – många skadade

Prabangiame Tokijo prekybos centre – pavojingas incidentas

About 20 people injured after man sprays unknown substance near ATM in Tokyo mall

Aproximativ 20 de persoane rănite la Tokyo, după ce un bărbat a pulverizat o substanţă într-un centru comercial de lux

Un homme pulvérise une substance dans un centre commercial de Tokyo, plusieurs blessés

Συναγερμός στο Τόκιο: Άνδρας ψέκασε άγνωστη ουσία σε εμπορικό κέντρο – Τουλάχιστον 20 τραυματίες

Τρόμος στο Τόκιο: Ανδρας ψέκασε άγνωστη ουσία σε εμπορικό κέντρο, 20 τραυματίες [βίντεο]

Mystisk lukt: Flere skadd

Panică într-un centru comercial de lux din Tokyo, după ce un bărbat a pulverizat o substanță lângă un bancomat

Substanz in Einkaufszentrum in Tokio versprüht: Verletzte

Τουλάχιστον 20 τραυματίες, όταν άνδρας ψέκασε άγνωστη ουσία σε εμπορικό κέντρο του Τόκιο

Muž nastriekal neznámu látku na bankomat v nákupnom centre v Tokiu. Poranil približne dvadsať ľudí

Substanz in Einkaufszentrum in Tokio versprüht: Rund 20 Verletzte

Central Tokyo Shopping Complex Locked Down after Liquid Sprayed near ATM - Nation Thailand

Tóquio. Homem pulveriza substância e faz 20 feridos

Muškarac nepoznatom tvari poprskao bankomat, više od 20 ljudi ozlijeđeno, policija sve blokirala!

Muškarac sprejem proširio nepoznatu tvar u središtu Tokija, 20-ak ozlijeđenih

Panic at Tokyo’s Ginza Mall after a man sprays substance leaving at least 20 injured

Rozpylił coś w centrum handlowym. "20 osób poszkodowanych"

Mand skaber kaos i japansk indkøbscenter efter at have sprayet mystisk indhold på gæsterne

Alarm në Tokio! Burri i spërkati me një substancë të panjohur, 20 të plagosur në një qendër tregtare

20 slasaðir eftir atvik í verslunamiðstöð

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area - AP News

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area

At least 19 people taken to hospital after 'strong smell' reported at Tokyo mall

19 taken to hospital after alleged spraying incident in Tokyo's Ginza area - 毎日新聞

Yli 20 sairaalaan, kun henkilö väitetysti suihkutti ainetta Tokiossa

19 taken to hospital in Japan after suspected tear gas released in Tokyo mall

Začelo jih je boleti grlo, več kot 20 jih je končalo v bolnišnici

U Tokiju zbog nepoznate supstance hospitalizovano više od 20 osoba

Muškarac poprskao sumnjivu supstancu unutar tržnog centra u Tokiju, povrijeđeno 20 osoba

Story evolution

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Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims5 agreed · 1 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix(36 sources)

Story evolution

Political spectrum

【中継】東京銀座「GINZA SIX」で“刺激臭”複数人が体調不良