SDF recruit likely to undergo mental evaluation after fatal shooting

From Kyodo

June 19 2023

GIFU – Authorities are considering ordering a mental evaluation for an 18-year-old Ground Self-Defense Force recruit after he shot dead two instructors and injured another in central Japan last week, investigative sources said Monday.

The authorities aim to assess the male recruit’s mental state at the time of the attack on the three men during a live-fire training exercise at an indoor firing range in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, as he has claimed no personal animosity toward the victims.

The suspect shot at Kosuke Yashiro and Yusuke Hara, both 25, with an assault rifle when they tried to stop him from firing at Yasuchika Kikumatsu, 52, during the training session that involved approximately 120 personnel, including some 70 recruits.

Kikumatsu and Yashiro later died at a hospital, while Hara was wounded in his left leg and will need three months of treatment, according to the GSDF.

The recruit, who last week was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of murder and whose family home in Gifu was searched Monday, is expected to undergo a psychiatric examination that could take several months, the sources said.

The GSDF has said the recruit joined the force in April.

According to the sources, he had no daily interactions with the three victims and was not being directly instructed by them.

While the suspect is believed to have targeted Kikumatsu, he has neither mentioned any bitterness toward the senior instructor nor any dissatisfaction with the GSDF, the sources said.

The recruit has also denied intentionally killing Yashiro, they said.

The recruit was initially arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, with police later upgrading the charge to murder.