Key PointsA man has been convicted and sentenced to loss of life for a 2019 arson assault in Japan.Thirty-six individuals died throughout the assault on the Kyoto animation studio and greater than 30 had been injured.Japan is the one G7 nation aside from the US that also has the loss of life penalty.
A Japanese man was convicted and sentenced to loss of life on Thursday for the arson and killing of 36 individuals at famed anime studio Kyoto Animation in 2019, public broadcaster NHK stated.
The lethal assault on the Kyoto-based studio, higher generally known as KyoAni, had despatched shock waves not solely via Japan the place violent crime is uncommon, but in addition abroad given the studio’s far-reaching fan base and the audacity of the crime.
Shinji Aoba, now 45, had set the studio ablaze by dousing the doorway space of the constructing with petrol, additionally injuring 32.
Aoba himself suffered heavy burns and underwent intensive remedy for practically a yr.
Mourners on the web site of Kyoto Animation Co. in Kyoto on 19 July 2019. Supply: AP / Hirohito Nomoto
Media have reported that Aoba held a grudge in opposition to the studio, identified for the sequence Violet Evergarden and different widespread works, believing that it had plagiarised his novel, an allegation that KyoAni has denied.
A pillar of Japanese popular culture, anime has change into a serious cultural export, profitable followers around the globe.
The incident prompted condolences from world leaders and enterprise executives equivalent to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Apple chief govt Tim Prepare dinner.
Japan and america are the one Group of Seven (G7) nations that perform capital punishment.