April 8 – Gas explosion at subway construction site in
Osaka kills 79, injures over 400.
May 13 – According to Japan Coast Guard official confirmed report, a suspicion man shot dead by Japanese authority after two-days, with another all passengers and crew freed, a passenger ferry Prince hijacking off Kurushima Straight,
Seto Inland Sea.[2]
June 29 – According to Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency official confirmed report, a Ryōmō General hospital fire, resulting to 17 person fatalities with 10 person injures, in
Sano,
Tochigi Prefecture.[page needed]
November 25 – In Tokyo, author and
Tatenokai militia leader
Yukio Mishima and his followers take over the headquarters of the
Japan Self-Defense Forces in an attempted
coup d'état. After Mishima's speech fails to sway public opinion towards his right-wing political beliefs, including restoration of the powers of the
Emperor, he commits
seppuku (public ritual suicide).
December 20 -
Koza riot: a violent and spontaneous protest against the US military presence in
Okinawa. Roughly 5,000 Okinawans clashed with roughly 700 American
MPs in an event which has been regarded as symbolic of Okinawan anger against 25 years of US military occupation.[3][4] In the riot, approximately 60 Americans were injured, 80 cars were burned, and several buildings on
Kadena Air Base were destroyed or heavily damaged.[5]