Motive in Kyoto Animation attack still unknown

Oct 18, 2019 | News On Japan

Oct 18, 2019 (NHK) - Police say it will take more time yet to know the motive behind the arson attack on a Kyoto Animation studio, as the suspect is still hospitalized. Friday marks three months since the deadly attack.

The attack occurred in Kyoto City on July 18. It left 36 people dead and 33 wounded. Four remain hospitalized.

Police plan to arrest Shinji Aoba on suspicion of arson and murder. The 41-year-old remains in hospital with burns to his entire body.

Police say Aoba has recovered enough to receive assisted rehabilitation for conversation and walking. But police will not be able to question him for some time, as he will likely need to remain in hospital for several more months.

From September to November last year, roughly 200 threatening emails were sent to the animation company. But judging by their content, police suspect they were written by someone other than Aoba.

Police are now analyzing online comments posted around November last year that seem to hint at the attack. One of them read: "I will burst into KyoAni with explosives."

Police say the posts could help identify a motive behind the attack, as some of them seem to describe Aoba's life at the time.

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