Death Penalty Given to Arsonist Responsible for Japan Studio Fire That Claimed 36 Lives
A Japanese court has handed down a death sentence to Shinji Aoba for his role in the deadly arson attack on a Kyoto animation studio that claimed 36 lives. The Kyoto District Court determined Aoba’s mental competence for trial and declared the capital punishment verdict during a two-part session on Thursday.
On July 18, 2019, Aoba stormed into Kyoto Animation’s No. 1 studio, igniting a fire that resulted in numerous deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning and severe injuries to over 30 individuals. Investigations revealed Aoba’s motive stemmed from his unsuccessful aspirations as a novelist, believing Kyoto Animation had plagiarized his submissions for a company contest.
Judge Keisuke Masuda highlighted Aoba’s premeditated actions, citing his study of past arson cases and his mental capacity to execute the crime. The ruling shed light on Japan’s stance on the death penalty, emphasizing its continued use despite being relatively rare among advanced nations.
Executions in Japan remain shrouded in secrecy, with prisoners only notified of their fate on the day of their hanging. While the country has disclosed the identities of executed individuals and limited details of their crimes since 2007, transparency surrounding such matters remains restricted.
“The attack that instantly turned the studio into hell and took the precious lives of 36 people caused them indescribable pain,” the judge said,
Throughout the trial, Aoba expressed remorse to the families of the victims, yet the court’s verdict underscored minimal prospects for rehabilitation. Aoba, aged 45, endured severe burns and underwent a 10-month hospitalization period preceding his arrest in May 2020. During court proceedings, he appeared in a wheelchair.
His defense team contended that he lacked the mental capacity to be held criminally accountable. At the time of the attack, approximately 70 individuals were inside the studio located in southern Kyoto, Japan’s historic capital.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with one recalling the sight of a dark cloud billowing from downstairs before being engulfed in scorching heat, prompting him to leap from a third-story window in search of air.
Established in 1981 and renowned as KyoAni, the company produced a widely acclaimed anime series featuring high school girls and provided training opportunities for aspiring artists. The fire marked Japan’s deadliest incident since 2001, when a blaze in Tokyo’s congested Kabukicho entertainment district claimed 44 lives.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary, described the Kyoto Animation attack as “highly tragic,” prompting the government to tighten gasoline sales regulations, including mandatory identification checks for buyers.
NHK reported Aoba’s financial struggles and his involvement in planning a separate attack on a train station north of Tokyo a month prior to the studio arson.
