The Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, located in Ikebukuro's Sunshine City, is planning a reopening for around September. The store, along with the adjacent Pikachu Sweets café, has been closed since a tragic stabbing incident occurred on the evening of March 26. The victim was identified as 21-year-old part-time sales clerk Moe Harukawa.
Authorities reported that the assailant, 26-year-old Taiki Hirokawa, who was Harukawa's ex-boyfriend, died by suicide after the attack. Police investigations revealed that Harukawa had previously reported Hirokawa to the police in December for stalking, leading to his arrest on suspicion of violating anti-stalking laws and later for voyeurism. Despite police intervention, including installing security cameras at her residence and arranging for her to stay with relatives, the incident tragically occurred.
Following the incident, security guards were stationed at Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo starting March 27. This heightened security measure has also been implemented at other Pokémon Center locations across Japan, particularly around cash register areas. Many in-store events scheduled for April at Pokémon Centers nationwide were canceled due to the circumstances, though some Pokémon GO tournaments proceeded with operational modifications, including the exclusion of spectators and broadcasts.
Source: Anime News Network(https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-05-29/pokemon-center-mega-tokyo-plans-to-reopen-in-september-after-march-stabbing-incident/.237941)
