Society

Takarazuka Crossbow Killer Spared Death Sentence

KOBE, Oct 31 (News On Japan) - A man accused of killing and injuring four family members with a crossbow in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, was sentenced to life in prison on October 31st, after the Kobe District Court rejected the prosecution’s demand for the death penalty.

The defendant, 28-year-old unemployed man Hideaki Nozu, was charged with fatally shooting his grandmother, mother, and younger brother with a crossbow at his home in Takarazuka in 2020, and seriously injuring his aunt in an attempt to kill her.

During the trial, Nozu admitted to the charges, stating that he "wanted to be sentenced to death as soon as possible," while the defense argued he was in a state of diminished mental capacity at the time of the crimes. Prosecutors, however, claimed he was fully responsible for his actions and sought the death penalty.

In its ruling, the Kobe District Court acknowledged that Nozu had full criminal responsibility, noting that he "made rational decisions to carry out the plan and maintained the ability to control his actions." However, the court also recognized the influence of mental illness in shaping his motives and concluded that "the crime was confined within the family and it cannot be said that the death penalty is truly unavoidable." The court therefore sentenced Nozu to life imprisonment.

Source: YOMIURI

Oita Fire Brought Under Control

A large-scale fire in Oita City’s Saganoseki district entered its third day on November 20th, and although authorities declared the blaze “brought under control” late in the morning, firefighters continued battling smoldering hotspots across the affected area as a full extinguishment remained out of reach.

Princess Aiko Travels To Northern Laos

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Japan Expecting Warm Three-Day Weekend

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Chinese State Media Attack Japan as Flight Cancellations Surge

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