OSAKA - A 21-year-old man has been rearrested in connection with a stabbing incident in Osaka’s Minami district that left three 17-year-old boys dead or injured, as police also launched outreach efforts for troubled youths in the area.
Police said Ryuga Iwasaki, 21, an unemployed man, was rearrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly stabbing two 17-year-old boys with a folding knife at a commercial building in Chuo Ward, Osaka, late at night on February 14th.
One of the boys was left unconscious in critical condition, while the other sustained serious injuries. Both have since recovered and been discharged from the hospital, according to investigators.
Iwasaki had already been arrested on suspicion of murdering Takunosuke Kamata, a company employee, in the same case. During initial questioning, Iwasaki reportedly told investigators that he "did not intend to kill," but police say he is now refusing to speak.
Investigators believe that shortly before the incident, Iwasaki had been involved in a dispute after allegedly harassing a female acquaintance of the teenagers, and police are continuing to examine the circumstances leading up to the attack.
Meanwhile, near the area in Minami known locally as "Gurishita," which Iwasaki was said to frequent, officers from the Osaka Prefectural Police on March 6th distributed information about counseling services to high school students and others, encouraging them to seek help if they are facing problems.
Police say they plan to strengthen patrols in areas where young people gather, such as karaoke establishments, in an effort to improve public safety ahead of the upcoming spring vacation period.
Source: YOMIURI
