Japan care home murders probed as euthanasia hate crimes against people with disabilities.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Japan Times News reported that the recent masacre of 19 residents at the Tsukui Yamayuri En care home for people with disabilities is being investigated as a mercy killing.

According to the Japan Times News Satoshi Uematsu, a 26-year-old former employee of the facility told police he was trying to “save” people with multiple disabilities and had “no remorse” for what he did. The Japan Times News reported:

Despite declaring no remorse for his actions, Uematsu appeared to express one regret: “I wanted to apologize from the bottom of my heart to the bereaved families as I made them suddenly part with” the victims, the investigative sources quoted him saying.

Uematsu earlier told investigators that “it would be better if the disabled disappeared.” He also said he stabbed “people who could not communicate well.” 

Police believe Uematsu intended to commit murder. The attack was likely premeditated, taking advantage of his more than three years of working experience at the facility.

According to the Japan Times News article, the police did not released the names of the 10 women and 9 men murder victims because their relatives do not want them identified based on their disabilities. The article expressed concerns that these murders may lead to further attacks upon people with disabilities.

“People with disabilities who are most vulnerable should not be victimized like this,” said Toshiyuki Hokage, 29, who came to lay yellow flowers at the entrance. “I am worried that discrimination toward people with disabilities might spread after this incident.”

Disability rights group, Not Dead Yet, decried this murderous rampage as a hate crime that targeted people with disabilities.