TOKYO, Japan – Shinji Aoba, the man convicted of setting fire to a Kyoto Animation Co. studio in 2019, resulting in the deaths of 36 individuals, has expressed his intention to appeal the death sentence in order to speak more about the crime. In a rare interview conducted at the Osaka Detention House, Aoba, who suffered severe burns in the fire he set, acknowledged his responsibility for the incident and stated that he seriously accepts the verdict.
During the interview, Aoba revealed that he intends to appeal the verdict to ensure he has the opportunity to speak out further about the crime. He expressed a desire to leave behind lessons for others as the person who caused the tragic incident. Aoba also admitted that he questioned whether he should go on living while concealing something after receiving the death sentence.
Following the district court’s ruling, Kyoto Animation Co. released a statement expressing their continued grief over the loss of their employees. The father of one of the victims initially felt that Aoba’s criticisms of the studio showed a lack of remorse, but later recognized the significance of Aoba speaking out to potentially prevent future crimes.
In response to Aoba’s intentions to appeal, the father acknowledged that there are words that only Aoba can express, and he believed it would be significant if Aoba’s words could create a deterrent to prevent similar crimes from happening in the future.
Aoba’s decision to appeal the death sentence has sparked discussions about the impact of his future statements and the potential to create awareness and deterrence against similar acts of violence. As he continues to seek opportunities to speak out, the case raises questions about the role of perpetrators in influencing societal perceptions and behaviors.