A man was arrested on Friday after stabbing eight people and injuring seven others with a chemical believed to be bleach at a Yokohama Rubber Co factory in Mishima, central Japan. The incident happened around 4:30 pm at the company facility in Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo. The Fujisan Nanto Fire Department said eight people were stabbed with a knife and taken to hospital. Seven others were hurt when bleach was thrown at them. Five stabbed victims were in serious condition but conscious, said officials. Shizuoka police arrested a 38-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. Authorities have not revealed the motive. Japanese media reported the suspect may be a former factory employee. The Asahi Shimbun said he was carrying a survival knife and wore what looked like a gas mask, but police have not confirmed these details. There is no update on how badly those affected by the chemical are injured. All victims are in hospitals for treatment and testing. Japan has very strict gun laws and low violent crime, but knife attacks have raised safety concerns in workplaces and public places recently. The police continue to investigate the case.