Following Nintendo’s decision to cancel major events in 2023 and 2024 over threats to its staff and attendees, the company is once again facing bomb threats. On May 12, authorities in Kyoto apprehended a 27-year-old unemployed Japanese man suspected of mailing letters threatening to detonate explosives at Nintendo’s headquarters.
Law enforcement officials (citing KTV News) confirmed the arrest was made under suspicion of business obstruction, as the individual allegedly sent envelopes to Nintendo containing notes such as “I’m going to blow you all up” and “My plans cannot be thwarted.” He additionally claimed to have “already planted multiple bombs” throughout the company’s facilities.
Nintendo alerted police on March 16 after receiving these threats, prompting officers to conduct searches of the premises. No hazardous materials were discovered, though the suspect has since confessed to the allegations. Authorities are now probing into his possible motives.
This case bears resemblance to a similar arrest in 2024 involving another 27-year-old man who threatened to bomb Nintendo’s upcoming events and endanger its employees. That incident forced the company to call off the Splatoon Koshien National Finals 2023 tournament—which the perpetrator specifically mentioned—as well as the subsequent Nintendo Live 2024 Tokyo event.
Mido