Japan reels from arsonist attack
A MAN suspected of torching an animation studio in Japan shouted that he had been plagiarised and appeared to have planned the attack.
The 41-year-old man “seemed to be discontented, appeared to get angry, shouting something about how he had been plagiarised”, a woman who saw the suspect being detained told reporters.
Dozens were injured and 33 people died in the fire, which has been declared Japan’s worst mass killing in 18 years.
The unidentified man shouted “die” before dousing the entrance to Kyoto Animation headquarters with what appeared to be petrol and setting it ablaze about 10.30am on Thursday.
Police spent yesterday searching through the smouldering shell of the building for clues.
Two cans, a rucksack and a trolley were found near the site, and television footage showed what appeared to be five long knives laid out by police on the ground outside the building.
The suspect had no connection with Kyoto Animation and his driver’s licence listed an address in Saitama, a northern suburb of Tokyo, public broadcaster NHK said.
Little else was known about the man, who is under police supervision with serious burns s to the face and legs, media re- ports said.
NHK showed footage of what it said appeared to be the e suspect lying on his back on the ground as he spoke to a police officer, shoeless and with what appeared to be e burns on his right leg below the e knee.
Kyoto Animation, located d in a quiet suburb about 20 minutes by train from the centre of Japan’s ancient capital, produces popular “anime” series including the Sound! Euphonium.