Earlier this year, in March, a Pokemon Center employee in Japan was stabbed to death at her workplace. The 26-year-old attacker stabbed the staff several times before taking his own life in a targeted case of domestic violence and stalking. The victim, Moe Harukawa, reported the perpetrator to the police in December 2025 and was issued a restraining order before committing the felony the following month.
The Ikebukuro Mega Tokyo Pokemon Center and nearby Pokemon Cafe are closed following the incident. However, that closure is coming to an end, with the store set to reopen in August, with new safety measures in place.
Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo set to reopen next month after fatal stabbing
The incident at the Ikebukuro Mega Tokyo Pokemon Center took place on March 26, and the shop has been closed ever since. It's the largest of the four Pokemon Center stores in Tokyo, and is surrounded by the Pikachu Sweets Cafe, Pokemon Go Lab, and Pokemon Card Game Center, which I've found doesn't sell much trading card game stock outside of sleeves and playmats.
Four months after the murder, the Pokemon Company has announced that the store will reopen.
“We sincerely appreciate your continued support for Pokemon Center. We are pleased to announce that Pikachu Sweets by Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo and Pokemon Cafe, which were temporarily closed, will reopen on Monday, August 24, 2026,” it said in a blog post. “Prior to reopening, we are undergoing partial renovations at Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO, enhancing security measures for our employees, and working to ensure a safe environment for our customers. Please note that entry restrictions will apply after the reopening period. Entry procedures will be announced at a later date.”
We are undergoing partial renovations at Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO, increasing safety measures for our staff…
Post “apologies for any concern or inconvenience you may have experienced during the temporary closure.”
Although it did not announce what happened to its employees during the shutdown, there is hope that they received all the support they needed after the painful incident. I'm sure both they and any customers will welcome all the new security measures in place.
If you're planning a trip to Tokyo, the Mega Tokyo Pokemon Center is great. It is in the Sunshine City Mall, which has many other great shops, as well as an aquarium worth visiting.
- Created by
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Satoshi Tajiri
- First movie
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Pokemon: The First Movie
- The latest movie
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The Pokemon Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
- First episode air date
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April 1, 1997
- video game(s)
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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Pokemon Black and White, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Pokemon GO, Pokemon GO, Pokemon Sk, Pokemon Unit, Pokemon Scarlet, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Masters EX, Pokemon TCG Live
