A Japanese man intent on committing random murder attacked members of the hugely popular Japanese female pop group AKB48 with a foldable saw, injuring two of the group's singers and a male staffer that bravely tried to stop the assault.

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The attack occurred in Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan on Sunday. The group had just finished a mini-concert for fans in Takizawa and was engaged in a "handshake event" where fans who buy special CDs can shake hands and chat briefly with their favorite member.

It was during the handshake event that a man identified by police as 24-year-old Satoru Umeta took a foldable saw from his jacket and attacked group members standing at the entrance of one of several tents inside a gymnasium.

Iwate prefectural police said Umeta, who is unemployed and hails from neighboring Towada City in Aomori Prefecture, was not an AKB48 fan and just wanted to commit random murder. Umeta was charged on suspicion of attempted murder.

The injured AKB48 members were identified as Rina Kawaei, 19, and Anna Iriyama, 18. Both suffered saw cuts on their heads. Kawaei's right thumb was also cut and fractured while Iriyama's right little finger was cut.

They were taken to a hospital and underwent surgery. The male staffer suffered cuts to his left hand. All three left the hospital by late Monday. AKB48 canceled fan events after the incident.

Following the attack, Kawaei and Iriyama, both wearing hats and with their hands covered by white towels, thanked fans for their concern as they talked to a mass of reporters outside the hospital.

"We've caused you worry, but we are returning to Tokyo now," Kawaei said. "Thank you very much."

The news of the attack headlined TV entertainment shows and at Japan's two nationwide newspapers, the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Mainichi Shimbun. Twitter and other social networking sites were overwhelmed with comments about the incident.

Many commentators raised concerns about the lax security checks at handshake events. AKB manager Hiroshi Yuasa, however, told reporters he believed security checks were appropriate but said the group's management team would review safety measures.

These handshake events are part of the group's "idols you can meet concept" that includes forming different teams able to rotate performances and perform simultaneously in events at different locations.

AKB48 currently has 140 members in three teams named A, B and K. It is one of the highest-earning musical acts in Japan and sold records worth US$226 million in 2012. It is so hugely popular it has been labeled as a social phenomenon.