Tokyo: Following a shooting incident that left two people dead, a member of the Japan Self-Defense Force (SDF) was detained on suspicion of attempted murder on Wednesday, according to local media.

According to the defence ministry and public broadcaster NHK, an 18-year-old SDF member allegedly shot three other personnel with an automatic weapon, inflicting injuries. Two of the victims died from their injuries after being taken to the hospital, according to NHK.

Hirokazu Matsuno, chief cabinet secretary, reported that the incident took place at an SDF shooting range in Hino City, in the Gifu prefecture of central Japan, at around nine in the morning.

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Eight shots, according to an SDF spokesperson, were fired. No reports of civilian casualties were made, according to NHK, and the victims included a man in his 50s and two people in their 20s.

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In Japan, where gun ownership is strictly controlled and prospective gun owners must undergo a thorough screening process, shootings are incredibly uncommon.

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