In the case where a clinic was set on fire in a building in Osaka and 25 people were involved, full-time police officers are helping the bereaved family and injured people.

Immediately after the outbreak, there were 80 people, but now it is shrinking, and the issue is how to proceed with long-term support.

In the case where a clinic entering a building in Sonezakishinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka was set on fire last month, 25 people were involved and one was seriously injured. Is being investigated on suspicion of murder and arson.



The Osaka Prefectural Police has set up a posture with about 80 full-time police officers who received a training course to support victims, and immediately after the incident, supported the bereaved family and injured people.

In addition to deciding the person in charge for each victim, a group of two people explained the support system of the local government such as a sympathy money, explained the criminal procedure, responded to various consultations such as dealing with the news media, and complained of mental disorders. It means that he introduced an organization that provides counseling to people.



However, the period of support is about one week after the incident, and it is currently shrinking.



The Osaka Prefectural Police responds individually if requested, and also takes over to an NPO that supports victims, but the issue is how to proceed with long-term support.



The Osaka Prefectural Police says, "We will continue to work closely with the victims."

The case where the suspect died has been in the past

There have been cases in which the suspect in the case died and the truth could not be elucidated.



In June 2015, a 71-year-old suspect himself put on gasoline and set fire on the Tokaido Shinkansen train.

One passenger involved was killed, 28 were injured, and the suspect died on the scene.



According to the police, the suspect had been given a small amount of pension and had trouble paying rent, but the detailed motive was not revealed.



In May of the first year of Reiwa, elementary school students and their parents who were waiting for a school bus on the streets of Tama Ward, Kawasaki City were stabbed with kitchen knives one after another, killing two people and injuring 18 people.



According to police, the 51-year-old suspect, who died after committing suicide at the scene, was said to have been withdrawn for many years, and his relatives often consulted with the local government.



While it was found that the weapon was prepared in advance and it seemed that the incident had occurred in a planned manner, we proceeded with interviews with relatives, but the motive was not clarified.



Police have sent documents to these cases, and the investigation has been completed.

Suspect's death in Nagano Prefecture What are the thoughts of the bereaved family?

長野県に住む市川武範さん（56）は、おととし、自宅で長女の杏菜さん（当時22）と次男の直人さん（当時16）を暴力団員に殺害されました。



暴力団員はその場で自殺し、警察が殺人などの疑いで書類送検したあと、検察は容疑者死亡で不起訴としています。



容疑者が死亡したことについて、市川さんは「怒りをぶつける相手がいないということと真実を知る機会が得られないという、2点が大きいと思う。（容疑者が）生きていれば怒りをぶつける、あるいはなぜこんなことをしたのかと直接疑問をぶつけられるが、その相手がいないというのが、まず第一に大きい。もし生きていれば、もっとすんなりと早い段階で胸に落とすことができたかもしれないが、本人の口から聞けるのと、想像することしかできない、その差というのはやはり大きいと思う。あくまでも想像するしかできない結論という部分で苦しさはありました。事実や情報を知ることが私にとっては重要で、容疑者本人から聞けない分、立ち直りには時間がかかりました」と話しました。



そのうえで、市川さんにとっては、捜査を尽くしてもらい事件の経緯などを詳しく知ることが大切だったと述べました。



市川さんは「被害者それぞれの性格とか環境、時期もあると思うが、私自身は事実を知らなければ乗り越えられないタイプなので、（事件の経緯などについて）調べ上げたものとか、こうだったのではないかという、答えに近いものが示されるように、警察、検察、行政等も動いていただくことが被害に遭った方々の心を救う道になるのではないかと思う。私が捜査終結の報告を受けて疑問をぶつけたことに対し、警察はすべて答えてくれたので、だんだんと気持ちの整理をつけるという段階に入れたのかもしれない」と話しました。



また、当時、必要だと感じた支援については「やはり寄り添い、支えてくれる人の力が第1に必要だと思う。わかってくれる人がいる、その存在は大きい」と話していました。

遺族支援のNPO法人「途切れない支援が必要」

Hiroko Kimura, the secretary general of the "Osaka Victim Support Advocacy Center" that supports the bereaved family in this case, took criminal responsibility because a trial was not held to clarify why the case occurred because the suspect died. He can no longer ask, and points out that the bereaved family has lost a place to separate their feelings.



Mr. Kimura said, "For the bereaved family, it is a heavy burden to ask the defendant directly and state their opinions, but it can also be an opportunity to look forward and live. Such a place has been lost." I'm talking to you.



On top of that, once the investigation is over, the number of people involved with the bereaved family will decrease, and long-term support from local governments and support groups will be required.



According to Mr. Kimura, one month has passed since the outbreak, and the bereaved family of this case has expressed the sadness of losing their family and the voice of anger and anger at the death of the suspect. After the investigation is over, I think some people will feel that "there is no one to support me, I'm left alone." I want to take care of my heart and support us so that it will not be interrupted. I was talking.



The group accepts consultations from victims and bereaved families from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays.

The phone number is 06-6774-6365.



Osaka Prefecture will also collaborate with police and victim support groups to share information and consider necessary support measures.



The prefecture has set up a dedicated contact point for consultations from people involved in this case, and the telephone number is 06-6697-0877, which is accepted from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays.



The survivors of the case can apply for survivor benefits under the national crime damage benefit system, and the benefits are to be paid according to the victim's income and age.

Lawyer familiar with crime victims "Mental care as soon as possible"

Sakura Uetani, a lawyer who is familiar with the situation of victims of crime and has been involved in supporting the bereaved family in the case of the death of the suspect, said, "It is hard for the bereaved family to reveal the facts by the trial, but it is a break. There is no doubt that it will be. If the perpetrator is alive, he can choose whether to be involved in the trial or not, but if he dies, he will not even have the choice, and he will be able to recover mentally. It will take more time. "



Regarding the necessary response to the bereaved family in this case, "The bereaved family cannot accept what happened immediately after the incident as a reality, but after that time, great sadness and a sense of loss will strike as much as possible. It is important to provide mental care at an early timing. "