Japanese actor slain with sword during play rehearsal

TOKYO - An actor was fatally stabbed with a katana, or samurai sword, while rehearsing a play at a Tokyo studio, and police were investigating whether his death was criminal or accidental. Officials have not determined yet whether the sword used was real of fake.

Media reports indicated several actors were performing an action scene when the man was stabbed Monday, and no one saw what exactly happened.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that the other actors saw Daigo Kashino hunched over, wounded in the abdomen, when they turned around after hearing him groan.

Kashino, 33, was an actor with the theater group in downtown Tokyo. He was rushed to a hospital but died hours later, police said.

The Japan Times reports the sword was about 28-inches long.

Police didn't describe the sword or if it might have had safety features to prevent injury.