A woman and two police officers were fatally injured in the incident on Thursday. The suspect is said to have worn camouflage clothing, a hat, sunglasses and a mask when he fled.
Residents were reportedly called upon to stay in their homes in the city of Nakano, on the main island of Honshu. The police had received information that a woman had been stabbed. After officers appeared at the alleged crime scene, the suspect shot at them. The firearm was apparently a hunting rifle. He then barricaded himself in a building, according to reports.