This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36890655

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Japan knife attack: 19 killed at care centre in Sagamihara Japan knife attack: 19 killed at care centre in Sagamihara
(about 4 hours later)
Nineteen residents have been killed in a knife attack at a care centre for people with mental disabilities in the Japanese city of Sagamihara.Nineteen residents have been killed in a knife attack at a care centre for people with mental disabilities in the Japanese city of Sagamihara.
Such attacks are extremely rare in Japan - the incident is the worst mass killing in decades.Such attacks are extremely rare in Japan - the incident is the worst mass killing in decades.
Police have arrested a man who worked at the centre until February, and who turned himself into police after the attack.Police have arrested a man who worked at the centre until February, and who turned himself into police after the attack.
He reportedly said he wanted people with disabilities to "disappear".He reportedly said he wanted people with disabilities to "disappear".
The brutal killings have shocked Japan, one of the safest countries in the world.The brutal killings have shocked Japan, one of the safest countries in the world.
Who was Japanese knife attacker?Who was Japanese knife attacker?
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said it was "a very heart-wrenching and shocking incident in which many innocent people became victims". "The lives of many innocent people were taken away and I am greatly shocked. We will make every effort to discover the facts and prevent a reoccurrence," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
Letter to politiciansLetter to politicians
The suspect has been named as 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu.The suspect has been named as 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu.
He sent letters to politicians in February in which he threatened to kill hundreds of disabled people during a night shift, Kyodo news agency reports.He sent letters to politicians in February in which he threatened to kill hundreds of disabled people during a night shift, Kyodo news agency reports.
"My goal is a world in which the severely disabled can be euthanised, with their guardians' consent, if they are unable to live at home and be active in society," Uematsu wrote in a letter to the speaker of the lower house of parliament, obtained by Kyodo."My goal is a world in which the severely disabled can be euthanised, with their guardians' consent, if they are unable to live at home and be active in society," Uematsu wrote in a letter to the speaker of the lower house of parliament, obtained by Kyodo.
He was kept in hospital for almost two weeks before being released.He was kept in hospital for almost two weeks before being released.
The governor of Kanagawa prefecture, Yuji Koroiwa, has apologised for not acting on warning signs. "You could say there were warning signs, but it's difficult to say if this could have been prevented," Kanagawa prefecture governor Yuji Koroiwa said.
How the attack unfoldedHow the attack unfolded
Uematsu drove to the Tsukui Yamayuri-en care facility, located about 50km (31 miles) from Tokyo, in the early hours of the morning, armed with several knives.Uematsu drove to the Tsukui Yamayuri-en care facility, located about 50km (31 miles) from Tokyo, in the early hours of the morning, armed with several knives.
He entered the building by breaking a window at 02:10 local time (17:10 GMT), a prefectural health official said, and began attacking residents by slashing their throats. He entered one of the buildings by breaking a window at 02:10 local time (17:10 GMT), a prefectural health official said, and began attacking sleeping residents one by one in their rooms.
Staff called police around 20 minutes later to report what was happening.Staff called police around 20 minutes later to report what was happening.
The stabbing rampage lasted around 40 minutes, the Associated Press news agency reports. Uematsu's 19 victims were aged between 19 and 70, Kyodo said, citing the Sagamihara City fire department. The stabbing rampage lasted around 40 minute across two buildings, the Associated Press news agency reports. Uematsu's 19 victims were aged between 19 and 70, Kyodo said, citing the Sagamihara City fire department.
Another 25 people were wounded, 20 seriously. Both men and women were reported to be among the dead.Another 25 people were wounded, 20 seriously. Both men and women were reported to be among the dead.
Soon after the attack, Uematsu turned himself in at the Tsukui police station and reportedly admitted the attack, appearing to have driven himself there.Soon after the attack, Uematsu turned himself in at the Tsukui police station and reportedly admitted the attack, appearing to have driven himself there.
Pictures have emerged of the steering wheel of his car, stained with blood.Pictures have emerged of the steering wheel of his car, stained with blood.
"When Uematsu turned himself in, he was found carrying kitchen knives and other types of knives stained with blood," a Kanagawa official told reporters."When Uematsu turned himself in, he was found carrying kitchen knives and other types of knives stained with blood," a Kanagawa official told reporters.
One local resident, Chikara Inabayashi, 68, told AFP he had been woken by the sound of sirens at about 03:00. A neighbour described Uematsu as polite and pleasant.
"I was astonished, that's the only thing I can say.'' "We didn't know the darkness of his heart," Akihiro Hasegawa, 73, told Reuters.
The facility, set in extensive grounds, had about 150 residents at the time of the attack, according to local officials. Eight staff members were on duty at the time. The facility, set in extensive grounds, had about 150 residents at the time of the attack, according to local officials. Nine staff members were on duty at the time.
One doctor told NHK: "The patients are very shocked and they cannot speak now."One doctor told NHK: "The patients are very shocked and they cannot speak now."
One woman who said she used to work at Tsukui Yamayuri-en told local media: "They are truly innocent people. What did they do?"One woman who said she used to work at Tsukui Yamayuri-en told local media: "They are truly innocent people. What did they do?"
Officials have ruled out any link to terrorism.Officials have ruled out any link to terrorism.
Mass killings are extremely rare in Japan, in part because strict gun control laws means almost no-one has access to a firearm.Mass killings are extremely rare in Japan, in part because strict gun control laws means almost no-one has access to a firearm.
Are you in the Japanese city of Sagamihara? Have you been affected by this incident? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the Japanese city of Sagamihara? Have you been affected by this incident? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you are available to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number.If you are available to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number.
Tweet us at @BBC_HaveYourSay or text +44 7624 800 100.Tweet us at @BBC_HaveYourSay or text +44 7624 800 100.
Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971.Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971.
Read our terms and conditions.Read our terms and conditions.
Or comment here:Or comment here: