The Sagamihara Stabbings four years on: “An environment is needed to be created where all people with disabilities live without hesitation.”

From Jiji Press

July 26 2020

Many people Sunday visited the scene of an attack on a care home for mentally disabled people in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, four years ago to mourn the victims. 

An annual memorial ceremony sponsored by the prefectural government was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, mourners prayed for the victims at a flower stand set up in front of the care home, Tsukui Yamayuri-en.

One of the mourners, Tetsuo Suzuki, 73, whose deceased sister had disabilities, said, “An environment is needed to be created where all people with disabilities live without hesitation.”

Takuma Kanaya, 45, whose eldest son, Hiroto, 10, has autism, said, “I hope for a society where people live with a smile while recognizing differences.”

Yukie Kono, 45, said: “This was a tragic incident in which innocent people died. It must not be forgotten.”