Current rules require only entrances, hallways and shared bathing areas at lodging facilities to be barrier-free. The new rules will also cover areas between room entrances and beds, and entrances to restrooms, bathing rooms and washrooms, requiring hotel operators to provide sufficient space for wheelchairs to pass through.
As many as 1,944 people entered the lottery for the 26 gallery seats available at Yokohama District Court to observers for the trial of Satoshi Uematsu, 29, accused in the attack in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo.
A man accused of killing 19 residents and injuring dozens more in a knife rampage at a care home for mentally disabled people near Tokyo in 2016 pleaded not guilty Wednesday in court, insisting he was mentally incompetent.
“Miho lived so hard. I want to leave that testimony. I want you to remember Miho’s name.”
Satoshi Uematsu, 29, admitted to the attack during the first court hearing at the Yokohama District Court, but his defense team argued he should not be held responsible as he was either mentally incompetent or had a diminished capacity.
Since many of the victim’s family chose not to disclose their names – as is their right to do so – at the trial the victims will be anonymous and referred to as ‘A’, ‘B’ and so on, with one notable exception: Kazuya Ono, aged 46, who was stabbed in the stomach will apparently be mentioned by name.
Satoshi Uematsu, 29, said that he will admit the charges at the trial. “It’s depressing,” he said. “It’s like going there to get insulted.”
Uematsu wanted to tell the Japanese Prime Minister about his plan to “kill many disabled people”. His name and address were written down, as is address of the Tsukui Yamayuri Garden, where he worked.
A photograph from a security camera of a person believed to be defendant in the ‘Sagamihara massacre’ just before the incident at the Sagamihara care home on July 26th 2016. The incident occurred early 2am.
The first Disability News Japan Podcast of 2020!
A man accused of killing 19 residents and injuring dozens more at a care home for people with mental disabilities in Kanagawa Prefecture in 2016 said on Monday 23rd December that he will admit to charges of murder and attempted murder at his trial, slated to begin on January 8th. It was previously reported by Kyodo News that the he would plead not guilty.
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