TOKYO — At least 19 people were rushed to local hospitals after a major chemical scare at a high-end shopping complex in central Tokyo. Emergency services descended on the posh Ginza shopping district on Monday, May 25, 2026 following reports that an unidentified man discharged a toxic, pungent substance inside the building before fleeing.

The panic broke out around noon on the ground floor of Ginza Six, a major luxury retail hub heavily frequented by tourists and locals alike.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the incident took place within the automated teller machine (ATM) corner of a Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation branch located inside the mall. Security camera footage captured a male suspect—wearing a white face mask, a dark jacket, and light-colored pants—approaching the ATM area. Witnesses report that a brief dispute broke out involving individuals who appeared to be foreign nationals, after which the suspect suddenly discharged an irritant spray into the air and vanished into the crowded streets.

Within minutes, emergency services were flooded with calls reporting a chemical odor. Approximately 25 people in the immediate vicinity experienced sudden and acute physical distress.

"By the time I arrived, the commotion had already started, and I thought there might have been a small fire or something," a 70-year-old eyewitness told public broadcaster NHK. "Once I went into the ATM corner, my throat felt scratchy, almost numb. I immediately went outside."

The potential of a public chemical attack in a densely packed commercial hub triggered a massive response. More than 50 fire department and emergency vehicles were dispatched to the luxury complex, bringing traffic to a complete standstill.

First responders established strict cordons around the main entrance and set up large tarpaulins to shield the site from public view. Emergency personnel dressed in full hazardous materials (hazmat) suits entered the building to evacuate patrons and staff, while specialized medical trucks were deployed on the blocked streets to examine victims.

Out of those affected, 19 individuals required hospitalization for severe throat irritation, coughing, and eye pain. Medical authorities have since confirmed that the injuries appear to be light, with all victims remaining conscious.

Initial analysis by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police suggests the aerosol used was a commercial irritant spray containing capsaicin, the highly spicy active chemical compound derived from chili peppers, often used in pepper sprays and self-defense tear gases.

An active manhunt is currently underway to track down the masked suspect using city-wide surveillance loops.

While violent crime is exceptionally rare in Japan, public anxiety regarding airborne substances remains acutely high. Notably, this incident comes just two weeks after a remarkably similar scare on Tokyo's Tokaido train line, where passengers fell ill at Kawasaki Station following a suspected transit spray attack. Police are currently looking into whether there is any correlation between the two events.