TOKYO, Japan – A 45-year-old man, Shinji Aoba, has been sentenced to death for committing arson at an anime studio in Kyoto that resulted in the deaths of 36 individuals in 2019. Aoba, who was convicted on Jan 25, indicated that he accepted the court’s decision, a local media report stated. His defense team, advocating a plea of not guilty on the grounds of a mental disorder, appealed the ruling the following day.
In a rare interview with the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, Aoba expressed his acceptance of the verdict and his decision to appeal, claiming that he wanted to continue speaking out during the court proceedings. The incident, which had a significant impact as Japan’s deadliest crime in decades, left many young individuals dead, including a 21-year-old woman.
The tragic event involved Aoba breaking into the building, spreading gasoline, igniting the fire, and shouting “drop dead,” according to survivors. Presiding judge Keisuke Masuda described the victims as being “engulfed in fire and smoke in the blink of an eye,” resulting in a horrifying and anguishing death. Aoba himself sustained severe burns and only regained consciousness weeks after the fire.
The severity and cruelty of the crime resulted in Aoba being sentenced to death, a punishment that he indicated he would accept, despite the possibility of an appeal. As the case continues to unfold, the impact of this tragedy on the victims, their families, and the greater community will continue to be felt in Japan.