Man arrested in Japan over bomb threat sent to Nintendo headquarters

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in Japan after allegedly sending a letter threatening to bomb Nintendo’s headquarters in Kyoto, according to local media reports. No suspicious objects were found around the building.

The case was reported Tuesday by KTV, which said the suspect is an unemployed man from Hekinan, a city in Aichi Prefecture. He is accused of obstructing business by sending the threat to Nintendo’s headquarters in Kyoto’s Minami Ward in March.

Police said the envelope arrived at Nintendo on March 16 and contained a written threat with phrases including, “I will blow you up” and “You cannot stop this plan,” according to KTV.

Officers searched the area around the headquarters after the letter was received, but no suspicious items were found.

The suspect has admitted to the allegations, KTV reported. Police are investigating his motive.

Nintendo, the Japanese video game company behind Mario, Zelda and Pokémon-related game titles, has faced threats in the past. In late 2023, the company postponed the Splatoon Koshien national finals and canceled Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo after receiving threats targeting employees, spectators and staff.