World Bulletin / News Desk 

Five people died from knife wounds in a small town in Japan’s west Monday morning, with police apprehending the suspect shortly after the attacks.

National news agency Kyodo reported that the stabbing frenzy occurred at two houses on Awaji island, Hyogo prefecture, at around 7 a.m. (2200GMT).

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Tatsuhiko Hirano, was arrested after police discovered him wearing bloodstained clothes near the scene, close to where he resides.

According to Hyogo police, Hirano had admitted to the stabbings, but refused to speak until he was represented by a lawyer.

The agency cited locals as saying that the population of the small town where the attacks took place mostly consisted of long-term residents familiar with one another.