TOKYO, June 8 (Reuters) - As many as five people might have died and at least 9 more were wounded after a man went on a knife rampage through Tokyo's popular electronics district on Sunday, Japanese media reported.

The unidentified man began stabbing passers-by in the Akihabara area in the early afternoon, NHK television reported, showing footage of several ambulances stopped in the district's crowded streets.

At least 14 people were stabbed. As many as five might have died, NHK said.

Akihabara, traditionally home to retailers of electronics and gadgets, has become synonymous in recent years with Japan's expansive "nerd" culture of video games, comic books and outlandish fashion.

Popular with locals and tourists, the area is often crowded on weekends. (Reporting by David Dolan; Editing by David Fogarty)

AlertNet news is provided by