NHK

Mourners remember care home victims 7 years on

Mourners have visited the site of a care home for people with intellectual disabilities near Tokyo to remember the victims of a deadly stabbing rampage seven years ago.

Nineteen people were killed by a former worker at the facility in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, on July 26, 2016. The perpetrator reportedly said he wanted to kill people who cannot communicate with others.

Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji condemned the assailant in his address, calling his motives self-centered, irresponsible and wrong. He said such a sad incident must never be repeated.

Following the governor's address, participants offered silent prayers.

Okutsu Yukari, who has lived in the facility since before the attack, told the gathering that she tries to ease the anxiety of her fellow residents by talking to them when they are in trouble. She went on to say, "My 19 friends, please continue watching over us from heaven."

A monument in front of the main entrance is engraved with the names of 10 of the victims, as requested by their families. Participants offered flowers and prayed for the victims.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230726_23/