Misao Katagiri (片桐 操) was born on April 15, 1947, in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan. Not much is documented about his early childhood or family background, but reports indicate that Katagiri had a deep fascination with firearms from a young age. Growing up in postwar Japan — a nation under strict firearm regulations — his obsession with guns was considered unusual and alarming. Despite Japan’s tight gun control policies, Katagiri reportedly sought out opportunities to learn about, handle, and collect firearms whenever possible. This early fixation would later play a crucial role in his descent into violent crime.

There is little evidence of Katagiri having a prior criminal record or involvement in organized crime before the 1965 incident. However, acquaintances described him as socially isolated and increasingly consumed by his fascination with weapons and violence. In the months leading up to the shooting, Katagiri’s behavior became erratic, and he reportedly expressed a desire to prove himself in a dramatic and violent manner. These tendencies culminated in one of Japan’s most shocking spree shootings of the postwar era — an event that exposed public safety vulnerabilities and ignited national debate about firearm control and mental health.

On July 29, 1965, Katagiri carried out his first attack in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Armed with a rifle, he shot and killed a police officer and wounded another. After the shooting, he stole the injured officer’s handgun, hijacked four cars, and fled toward Tokyo.

Upon reaching Shibuya, Tokyo, he entered a gun shop near the Shibuya fire station and took four hostages. A massive gunfight broke out between Katagiri and police officers, leading to 16 more people being injured. The chaos attracted a crowd of nearly 5,000 spectators, including a young Norio Nagayama, who would later become another infamous spree shooter in Japan.

The standoff ended when one of the hostages fought back, giving the police a chance to tackle and arrest Katagiri. His violent spree, which spanned two locations, was one of the deadliest gun-related crimes in Japanese history.

Katagiri was arrested on July 29, 1965, and went to trial for his crimes. He was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and firearm-related offenses. After a long legal process, he was convicted and sentenced to death. He spent several years on death row before being executed by hanging on July 21, 1972.