Pokémon Centers Cancel All April Events Nationwide Following Fatal Mega Tokyo Incident

By:Mollie Dominy
A sleek, modern Pokémon Centers exterior with blue neon accents and a white facade resembling a train. Interior shelves display colorful merchandise. Bright, clean ambiance. The Pokémon Company

The Pokémon Company has quietly taken one of the most sweeping safety measures in its history at their Pokémon Centers. On March 31, the company announced that every scheduled event at Pokémon Center stores across Japan has been cancelled for the entire month of April, with only two competitive tournaments allowed to continue under heavily restricted conditions.

This isn’t a marketing delay. It isn’t a scheduling reshuffle. It’s a response to something far more devastating.

These cancellations come in the immediate aftermath of the fatal stabbing of 21‑year‑old Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo employee Moe Harukawa, who was attacked inside the store on March 26. The incident has shaken the company, its staff, and the broader Pokémon community to the core — and the ripple effects are now being felt nationwide.

Only Two Events Remain — And They’re Happening Behind Closed Doors

Sculpture of Charizard with Pikachu on its back inside a Pokémon Center, surrounded by visitors and shelves with Pikachu plush toys, creating a lively atmosphere.
Image of Pokémon Center, Courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Across all Pokémon Center locations, the following April events have been cancelled:

  • Pokémon Greetings (mascot meet‑and‑greets)
  • Pokémon TCG Classrooms
  • Community activities
  • In‑store celebrations and giveaways

The only exceptions are:

  • City League Pokémon TCG Tournament
  • Pokémon GO Japan Championships Qualifier

Even these will be held without spectators, without livestreams, and without the previously planned commemorative gifts. These aren’t events anymore — they’re controlled, closed‑door competitions designed to minimize risk and protect staff.

The message is clear: safety first, everything else second.

The Mega Tokyo Store Remains Closed Indefinitely

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo — one of the most iconic Pokémon retail locations in the world — has been closed since the night of the attack. There is no timeline for reopening.

The Pokémon Company has stated that it is prioritizing the mental health and emotional recovery of its employees, many of whom witnessed or were directly affected by the incident. Given the severity of what happened, it’s entirely possible the store will remain closed well beyond April.

What Happened — And Why This Story Is Bigger Than Pokémon

A brightly lit toy store features shelves filled with colorful plush toys and a central display with Pokémon characters. The atmosphere is playful and inviting.
Image of Pokémon Center, Courtesy of The Pokémon Company

According to police reports, Harukawa was attacked by her former partner, 26‑year‑old Daiki Hirokawa, who had a documented history of stalking her. He approached her while she was working and stabbed her multiple times before turning the weapon on himself. Both later died in the hospital.

The details are heartbreaking:

  • Hirokawa had been arrested twice for stalking‑related offenses in the months leading up to the attack.
  • He was found outside her home with a knife and secretly recorded footage.
  • He was released after signing a written promise not to stalk her again.
  • Therapy was recommended but not required — and he refused it.
  • Police advised Harukawa to stay with relatives and install cameras.
  • They also recommended she change jobs for her own safety.
  • She refused, telling them it had always been her dream to work at a Pokémon Center.

This can be seen as a systematic failure of the police force.  And it has sparked renewed conversations in Japan about stalking laws, victim protection, and the gaps that allow dangerous individuals to slip through the cracks.

The Pokémon Company Is Doing What It Can — But the Industry Is Shaken

The company’s decision to cancel events nationwide isn’t just about logistics. It’s about giving staff space to grieve, recover, and feel safe again. It’s about cooperating fully with the ongoing police investigation. And it’s about acknowledging that the Pokémon Centers — normally some of the most joyful retail spaces in Japan — are not emotionally ready to return to business as usual.

This isn’t a story about games or merch or event calendars. It’s a story about a young woman who loved her job, a community in mourning, and a company trying to protect its people in the wake of something unimaginable.

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo remains closed. April events are cancelled. And for now, the priority is exactly where it should be: the safety and well‑being of the staff who bring these stores to life.

Author

  • Mollie Dominy

    Mollie is an article writer and editor for Total Apex Gaming. She's loved playing and talking about games since she played her first game, Mortal Kombat, much to the dismay of those around her. She loves all forms of video games and uses her research skills to find out about every game she sees so that fangirling can commence.

Mollie is an article writer and editor for Total Apex Gaming. She's loved playing and talking about games since she played her first game, Mortal Kombat, much to the dismay of those around her. She loves all forms of video games and uses her research skills to find out about every game she sees so that fangirling can commence.

Loading...