Man in custody admits intention to stab Japanese prince

A man in custody for placing knives on the school desk of Prince Hisahito at his school in Tokyo has said he planned to stab the young prince, local media quoted sources close to the matter as saying Wednesday.

According to Kyodo News, investigative sources said that Kaoru Hasegawa, 56, who was arrested on April 29 for trespassing and placing knives on the school desk of the 12-year-old prince, along with making disparaging remarks about Japan's imperial system, expressed his intention to stab the prince.

Prince Hisahito, who attends the Ochanomizu University Junior High School in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, was not in the classroom when Hasegawa, disguised as a construction worker and wearing a helmet and mask, according to security footage, allegedly talked his way into the school under the pretense of being a plumber.

Hasegawa had found out that Prince Hisahito attended the school by checking online, investigators said, and, despite the prince's bodyguards being in attendance outside the school, Hasegawa gained access to the school in his disguise and found the prince's classroom.

While inside the classroom, Hasegawa placed two fruit knives, the blades of which were painted pink and duct-taped to a 60-cm-long aluminum bar to form a pitchfork, or two-pronged bayonet, and put the weapon on the desk of Prince Hisahito.

Investigators said they had found some wires had been cut outside the school and had retrieved a pair of gardening shears hidden at the school grounds.

They believe Hasegawa had tried to knock-out the school's surveillance system by cutting the wires with the shears prior to entering the school.

No written message was left at the scene and investigative sources have not, as yet, connected Hasegawa to any groups that may be opposed to Japan's imperial system.

Prior to the latest revelations that he intended to stab the prince, Hasegawa previously admitted to trespassing on the grounds of the school and leaving the make-shift weapon on the young prince's desk.

The incident occurred as Japan was preparing to celebrate the ascension of Emperor Naruhito.

Following the incident, schools nationwide have been instructed by the education ministry to step up their security measures.