A Japanese knifeman has been arrested for attacking 10 random passengers in three carriages on a Tokyo train because he saw women “looking happy” and “wanted to kill successful women”.

The suspect, named as Yusuke Tsushima, 36, is quoted as telling the cops: “About six years ago, I saw a happy woman and wanted to kill her. I chose that train because there is no escape and I can kill a lot of people. Anyone was fine.”

The shocking incident took place on a commuter train near Soshigaya-Okura Station in the Japanese capital Tokyo, currently staging the Olympic Games, at around 8.40pm on 6th August.

The train had departed from Fujisawa Station in the prefecture of Kanagawa and was heading for Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station.

The suspect allegedly walked through three carriages and attacked 10 passengers with a knife.

In the last carriage, he reportedly doused the floor with salad oil and attempted to set it ablaze with a lighter.

According to local media, a 20-year-old female uni student was seriously injured with a back wound, and the others suffered non-life-threatening wounds in the attack.

He fled the scene and was later found in a minimarket in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward.

On Saturday morning, the police charged him with attempted murder, according to the news site Tokyo Reporter.

As well as explaining why he chose the train, Tsushima is quoted as telling the police: “When I was in college, I was looked down upon by women when I took part in club activities, and I didn’t get along with women I met on dating sites.

“So I started to want to kill successful women.”

The police said they suspect the attack was planned in advance as a change of clothes was discovered at the scene in a tote bag as well as a 20-cm-long knife. He also reportedly brought a pair of scissors as a backup.

The suspect told the police: “I bought (the blade) two years ago to commit suicide.”

The investigation continues.