Dec 13, 2023

Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in 2019 Kyoto Animation Arson Case

Japanese prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against the man responsible for the Kyoto Animation Studio arson attack that killed 36 people and injured 32 others.

Shinji Aoba, 45, who was arrested at the scene, told police he attacked the studio because he thought Kyoto Animation had stolen ideas from him. Prior to the raid, Aoba had submitted several of his writings to a contest run by the studio and believed that those ideas were later used without credit.

In September of this year, Aoba admitted in court that he set himself on fire, but his lawyers argued that he should be acquitted or have his sentence reduced because he was mentally unstable when he committed the crime.

Last week, the prosecution argued that the attack was a deliberate act of revenge and that Aoba planned it with the clear intent to kill. They argued that Aoba was fully aware of what would happen in the fire.

According to the police report and Aoba's comments, he entered Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 building on July 18, 2019, began spraying gasoline on employees and their workbenches, igniting the fuel and shouting "die." In the attack, Aoba suffered life-threatening burns and required more than a dozen surgeries.

According to Japanese broadcaster NHK, Aoba first apologized in court last Wednesday. He also said that in some ways he thinks the death penalty is an appropriate punishment for his actions.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 25, 2024.