Three cars burned, police implies on possible suicide

One dead after at least two explosions rock park in Utsunomiya, north of Tokyo, Japan Times reports. Cars were found burning in a parking lot at around 11:30 a.m. local time, but the cause of the blazes was not immediately known.

One of the explosions took place at Utsunomiyajoshi Park's bicycle parking lot, where the body was found, NHK agency reports referring to police statement. The body had been badly damaged in the blast and ensuing fire, officials say.

The traditional culture festival taking place in the park was canceled. Photos posted to social media showed columns of black smoke and the charred remains of two vehicles parked next to each other.

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NHK later cited police update saying that one of at least three burned cars contained what appeared to be a suicide note. The car belonged to a 72-year-old former Self-Defense Force officer whose house reportedly burned down shortly before the blasts, since when no one has been able to reach him.