There were 67 cases of random street killings or attempted killings across the nation over 10 years between 1998 and 2007, the National Police Agency (NPA) has announced.

The figure peaked in 1998, when there were 10 cases of random street killings or attempted incidents across the nation. Since then, the annual figure has stood at less than 10. In 2007, there were eight incidents, double the figure of the previous year.

This year, there have already been eight cases of random street assaults, as of July, including cases that took place in the shopping streets of Tokyo's Togoshiginza in January; in front of JR Arakawaoki Station in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture; and in Tokyo's Akihabara in June, which killed and injured 17 people.

The NPA has recently been on high alert as people will wear lighter clothes during summer, making them more subject to fatal injuries if stabbed.

Copyright 2005-2006 THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved. Mainichi features the best news in Japan, current news in Japan, Japan news in English, Japan business news, Tokyo Japan news, and Japan entertainment news. Mainichi News is syndicated in accordance with editorial regulations: personal and noncommercial purposes.