A man was arrested on Friday after stabbing eight people and injuring seven others with what was believed to be bleach at a factory operated by tiremaker Yokohama Rubber Co in central Japan, officials said.The attack occurred at a company facility in the city of Mishima in Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo. The local fire department said it received an emergency call around 4:30 pm reporting that several people had been stabbed at the factory. According to the Fujisan Nanto Fire Department, eight people were taken to hospital after being stabbed with a knife, while seven others were injured after a chemical substance believed to be bleach was thrown at them, reported AP.The fire department told AP that five of the stabbed victims were in serious condition, though all were conscious while being transported for treatment.Shizuoka prefectural police said a 38-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. Authorities did not immediately disclose a motive. Japanese media, citing investigative sources, reported that the suspect is believed to be a former employee of the factory. The Asahi Shimbun reported that the suspect was carrying a survival knife and wearing what appeared to be a gas mask at the time of the attack. Police have not officially confirmed those details. There was no immediate information on the severity of injuries suffered by those exposed to the chemical substance. Emergency responders said all injured individuals were taken to hospitals for further examination and treatment.Japan has some of the world’s strictest gun control laws and is known for its low rate of violent crime. However, the country has seen several high-profile knife attacks in recent years, prompting renewed concern over workplace and public safety.Police said the investigation was ongoing.