A 27-year-old man from Aichi Prefecture has been arrested after sending threatening letters to Nintendo’s Kyoto headquarters claiming he had planted multiple bombs inside the building. Police searched the premises and found no explosives. The suspect has reportedly admitted to sending the letters.
What Happened
The threatening envelope arrived at Nintendo HQ on March 13, 2026. Inside were several messages making serious threats against the building and its occupants, including a claim that explosives had already been placed inside the premises. The letters caused significant disruption to Nintendo’s business operations after they were received.
Police in Kyoto took the suspect, who lives in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture, into custody on May 12. He was arrested on suspicion of sending the threatening communications to Nintendo’s headquarters in Minami-ku, Kyoto, the company’s base of operations since its founding in 1889 and home to its global executive offices.
Following the arrest, the suspect has reportedly admitted to sending the letters. Police are still conducting inquiries to establish why he targeted Nintendo.
No Explosives Found
The bomb claim did not hold up. Officers searched both the interior of the building and the surrounding area after the threats were received. No evidence of explosives was found anywhere on the premises.
That result provides some context for why news of the arrest only surfaced in May despite the letters arriving in March. The investigation to identify and locate the suspect took approximately two months from the point the threats were received to the point of arrest.
Nintendo Has Been Targeted Before
This is not an isolated incident. Nintendo has faced targeted threats on multiple occasions in recent years. In 2023, the company was forced to cancel the Splatoon Koshien National Finals after receiving threats directed at the event. The following year, Nintendo Live 2024 in Tokyo was cancelled entirely after another individual, also 27 years old, made threats against Nintendo employees and attendees.
That person was arrested in April 2024. There is no indication from police that the two cases are connected in any way. The coincidence of age between both suspects has not been commented on by authorities.
Under Japanese law, sending threatening communications can carry a prison sentence of up to two years or a substantial fine under intimidation charges. More serious offences involving false bomb claims can carry heavier penalties, and investigators will likely be working to determine the precise charges the suspect will face once the motive inquiry is complete.
Why This Matters Right Now
Nintendo is currently in one of the most active periods of its recent history. The Nintendo Switch 2 launched in June 2025 and the company has maintained a steady stream of first-party releases throughout 2026, including the upcoming Star Fox remake. Any disruption to headquarters operations during this cycle carries real operational significance beyond the immediate security concern.
The company has not issued a public statement about the arrest. Nintendo typically handles security matters quietly and lets law enforcement communications speak for themselves, a pattern it followed after the 2023 and 2024 incidents as well.
For now, the suspect is in custody, the building is confirmed safe, and the investigation into his motives is ongoing. Further updates are expected as the case progresses through Japan’s legal system.
