DHAKA: Five people were killed in stabbing attack in a house early Monday in the western Japanese city of Sumoto in Japan.

Police said a 40-year-old unemployed man was arrested for allegedly attacking the victims in a house, reports the BBC.

Japanese media have named the attacker as Tatsuhiko Hirano. Reports say he was found with blood on his clothes and initially admitted to the killing.

The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

The attacker was said to have lived in the neighbourhood.

The city of Sumoto is located on Awaji island, in the Hyogo prefecture.

BDST: 0958 HRS, MAR 09, 2015