An 18-year-old American tourist has been arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police on suspicion of arson following a series of fires in Tokyo. The tourist, who had been travelling in Japan with his family, was detained on 23 October 2024, the day he was scheduled to depart the country.

The fires occurred in the early hours of October 21 across Tokyo’s Chuo and Sumida wards, with seven incidents reported in a 1.9km radius. Among these was a fire in a rubbish bin near a condominium entrance in Nihonbashi Kakigaracho. Police believe the tourist may be responsible for this incident and possibly the other six fires, citing the proximity and similar methods in which the fires were set.

The suspect, while not explicitly admitting responsibility, responded to questioning with, “I don’t remember.”

This arrest comes as Japanese law now allows 18-year-olds to be tried as adults, meaning the tourist could face adult penalties if convicted. The investigation is ongoing, with the tourist detained in Tokyo pending further developments.