Shinji Aoba faced charges of homicide and arson by the prosecution in Japan after a fire broke out at Kyoto Animation studio in 2019, resulting in the deaths of 36 individuals. The incident highlighted the destructive power of Aoba’s actions. A file photo captured by Jiji Japan/EPA-EFE encapsulates the devastation caused by this tragic event.
Sept. 5 (UPI) — Aoba, a 45-year-old man from Saitama Prefecture, Japan, admitted to setting the fire in Kyoto District Court during the recent trial. His defense lawyers, however, pleaded not guilty on his behalf, citing his alleged mental incapacity at the time of the crime, which strategized their defense.
Aoba, who now finds himself in a wheelchair due to the injuries sustained in the fire, made a statement during the trial, acknowledging his role in setting the blaze. He expressed regret and proclaimed, “At the time, I thought I had no other choice, but I did not expect so many people would die. I now think that I went overboard.” Surprisingly, he failed to offer an apology to the victims.
Emphasizing Aoba’s mental state during the crime, defense attorneys are urging the judge to either acquit him or impose a less severe sentence, citing his psychological impairments as the primary mitigating factor in this case.
Prior to the trial, it was argued by the defense that Aoba suffered from delusions, with his belief in a battle against a “dark figure” ultimately driving him to burn down the internationally renowned art studio.
The judge is expected to deliver a verdict on January 25, following a lengthy trial that will span the remainder of the year. Testimony from psychiatrists who evaluated Aoba, as well as the president of Kyoto Animation and various witnesses, will be crucial in determining the outcome. Additionally, family members who lost loved ones will have the opportunity to question Aoba during the proceedings.
In Japan, a defendant cannot be prosecuted for any crime if they are deemed mentally incompetent.
Prosecutors ordered Aoba to undergo a six-month mental evaluation while in custody. Despite his history of mental illness, they maintained that Aoba could still be held criminally responsible. The defense conducted a separate mental examination during this period. The indictment against Aoba, which was initially delayed for over a year as he remained in a coma, finally took place in December 2020. Prosecutors stated that the attack, driven by a grudge, was the cause behind the delay.
In 2017, Aoba submitted a novel to a creative contest sponsored by Kyoto Animation, but his work failed to impress the judges, causing him to develop the belief that the company had stolen his ideas. This resentment appears to have contributed to his subsequent actions.
According to the indictment, Aoba arrived at the three-floor studio around 10:30 a.m. and entered through the front entrance. Once inside, he proceeded to douse employees and office furniture with gasoline before igniting the flames with a lighter. The fire led to panic, with 70 employees desperately searching for exits to escape the inferno.
While the names of 19 victims remain undisclosed at the request of their relatives, 17 individuals who perished in the fire have been publicly identified. Moreover, 34 people survived but sustained injuries.
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