Man sentenced to death for 2023 murders of 4 in central Japan

TOKYO – A Japanese court on Oct 14 sentenced a 34-year-old man to death for

murdering two women as they were out for a stroll, and two policemen

who had responded to the scene of the attack in Nagano prefecture, central Japan, in 2023.

The Nagano District Court ruled that Masanori Aoki, a farmer, was fully criminally responsible for the killings, dismissing the defence’s argument that a life sentence was appropriate since he was in a state of diminished mental capacity at the time.

“It was an atrocious crime in which four precious lives were taken based on a strong intent to kill,” Presiding Judge Masashi Sakata said.

Prosecutors had demanded the death sentence, arguing that Aoki was aware that he was committing a crime and therefore fully responsible. Aoki’s defence argued that he was unable to tell right from wrong due to a delusional disorder and schizophrenia.

The court heard that on the evening of May 25, 2023, Aoki fatally stabbed his neighbours, Ms Yasuko Takeuchi, 70, and Ms Yukie Murakami, 66, while they were out for a walk in the city of Nakano, believing they were bad-mouthing him behind his back.

He later shot policemen Takuo Ikeuchi, 61, and Yoshiki Tamai, 46, with a hunting rifle after they arrived at the scene in response to an emergency call.

Aoki also stabbed Mr Tamai after shooting him. KYODO NEWS