Japanese police say four people have been hospitalized after touching what appeared to be a chemical on board a Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train linking northeastern regions with Tokyo.

Police also say one of the four is a child and that another passenger is feeling unwell. Their conditions are not life-threatening.

Investigators are talking to the owner of a bag that contained the purported chemical.

Fire department officials in Sendai City say they received a call from a passenger on the Hayabusa No.52 train bound for Tokyo around noon on Monday saying people suffered burns after touching what looked like a chemical.
East Japan Railway says the train's onboard emergency notification system was activated at 11:54 a.m., two minutes before the train was due to arrive at Sendai Station, and that crew members saw smoke in the train.

The operator also says all passengers got off the train at Sendai Station.