The Pokémon Center retail chain announced Friday that its flagship Mega Tokyo location will reopen around September after a five-month closure. The store and nearby Pikachu Sweets café, both located in Ikebukashi's Sunshine City shopping complex, shut down following a tragic incident on March 26.

On that evening, 21-year-old part-time sales clerk Moe Harukawa was fatally stabbed by 26-year-old Taiki Hirokawa, who then died by suicide. Police later determined that Hirokawa was Harukawa's ex-boyfriend. Harukawa had previously reported to authorities in December that she was being stalked by her ex, leading to Hirokawa's arrest on anti-stalking violations that month and again in January on voyeurism charges. Before his January release, police had arranged for Harukawa to stay with relatives and installed security cameras at her residence.

The closure prompted widespread precautions across Japan's Pokémon Center network. Security guards were stationed at the Mega Tokyo location beginning March 27, with similar measures implemented at other Pokémon Centers nationwide, particularly near register areas. Nearly all events scheduled at Pokémon Centers across Japan were canceled throughout April due to the circumstances. The cancellation affected locations in Sapporo, Tohoku, Tokyo DX, Shibuya, Skytree Town, Tokyo Bay, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Osaka DX, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Fukuoka, and Okinawa.

Some competitive events continued with operational modifications. The "Pokémon GO" Division Pokémon Center Qualifying Tournament and City League events proceeded, but without on-site broadcasting or spectators. Planned spectator gifts were also canceled.

The September reopening marks a significant step toward normalcy for the beloved Tokyo destination, which typically draws fans from across Japan and internationally. The enhanced security measures implemented during the closure will remain in place.