The Pokémon community has been shaken by tragic news from Japan. The Pokémon Company has cancelled all events at Pokémon Centres across the country for the entire month of April, following a fatal attack at their flagship Tokyo store.
On March 26th, 21-year-old Moe Harukawa, an employee at the Mega Tokyo Pokémon Centre, was fatally stabbed by her ex-partner whilst at work. The attacker, Taiki Hirokawa (26), then took his own life. Both died later in hospital.
A Dream Job Cut Short
What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that Harukawa had reportedly always dreamed of working at a Pokémon Centre. When police recommended she change jobs for her safety after previous stalking incidents, she refused to give up on her dream role.
The Mega Tokyo Pokémon Centre has been closed indefinitely following the incident. There's no word yet on when it might reopen.
Sweeping Event Cancellations
On March 31st, The Pokémon Company announced the unprecedented step of cancelling all scheduled events at Pokémon Centres nationwide throughout April. The company cited "unforeseen circumstances" in their official statement, prioritising the mental wellbeing of their staff and cooperation with police investigations.
Only two events will proceed: the City League TCG Tournament and a qualifier for the Pokémon Go Japan Championships. Even these will run without spectators and won't be broadcast online — a far cry from the usual buzzing atmosphere these events create.
Plans to distribute prizes to spectators have also been scrapped due to the changes.
A Systemic Problem
This incident highlights ongoing issues with stalking in Japan. Hirokawa had been arrested for stalking in late 2025, found outside Harukawa's home with a knife and secretly recorded footage of her.
He was released after signing a written promise not to stalk her anymore. Therapy was recommended but not mandatory — and he declined to attend any sessions.
The police had recommended Harukawa stay with a relative and install security cameras at her home. They checked in with her multiple times and found no sign that Hirokawa was planning to attack her.
What This Means for Pokémon Fans
For collectors and players who regularly attend Pokémon Centre events, April will be notably quiet. These venues aren't just shops — they're community hubs where fans gather for tournaments, product launches, and special celebrations.
The company's decision to prioritise staff welfare over commercial activities shows they're taking this seriously. But it also underscores just how deeply this tragedy has affected the entire organisation.
If you're planning to visit Japan for Pokémon events, check the official Pokémon website for the latest updates on when normal operations might resume. You can also read more about this story at TheGamer.
For UK players looking to get their Pokémon fix whilst Japan recovers, our Pokémon TCG collection has everything you need to keep battling from home.
Our thoughts are with Harukawa's family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Sometimes the game we all love feels secondary to the real world — and that's exactly as it should be.
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