On the evening of February 6, 1993, it should have been a relaxing, pleasant weekend for all off-duty Hokkaido Police, but at 8 p.m., dense gunfire echoed continuously throughout different districts of Sapporo.
Their holiday was shattered along with it.
Everyone received a notice for an emergency recall to their posts, to collect their equipment at their respective police stations and follow headquarters' orders—either to support patrol officers exchanging fire with gunmen, or to set up roadblocks.
Meanwhile, senior officials simultaneously convened an emergency meeting.
In the brightly lit conference room, all the leadership from the Hokkaido Police Headquarters with the rank of Superintendent and above gathered around a table, the atmosphere heavy, oppressive, and somber.
Although they did not yet know the details, they had learned the reason for the meeting on their way there.
