Man breaks into train station office, stabs worker

KUWANA, Mie Prefecture--A 56-year-old assistant stationmaster at Kintetsu-Kuwana Station was stabbed in a scuffle early Monday with an assailant who demanded money but fled empty-handed, police said.

Hideaki Ogura was stabbed in the left chest near the shoulder, in the right hand and in the right elbow.

The wound in Ogura's chest was about 6 centimeters deep, but the injuries are not life-threatening, police said.

Police are searching for the attacker on suspicion of attempted burglary and attempted murder. He was described as around 50 years old and 165 cm tall wearing a dark jumper.

Ogura, who had been on duty since 2 a.m. Monday, was taking a nap in a backroom of the station when he was woken up by a sound in the office. He discovered the man in the office, who pulled out a knife and demanded money.

During the scuffle, an alarm in the office was set off and a colleague resting in a nap room about 100 meters away rushed to the office.

An injured Ogura managed to open the door of the office for the colleague around 4 a.m.

A knife with a 10-cm blade was left at the scene, according to police.

Investigators suspect one of three entrances to the office was unlocked at the time.

A person can enter the ticket wicket area beside the station office at night because there is no shutter at the station.(IHT/Asahi: May 12,2008)