The killing of 19 people at a home for the mentally disabled raised questions about whether Japan’s reputation as one of the safest countries in the world is creating a false sense of security.
The deadliest mass killing in Japan in the post-World War II era unfolded early Tuesday in Sagamihara, a city about 50 km west of central Tokyo, when authorities say a former employee broke into the facility and stabbed more than 40 people before calmly turning himself in to police.
The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu, had worked at the facility from 2014 until February, when he was let go. He wrote to Parliament outlining the bloody plan and saying all disabled should be put to death.
In France, meanwhile, knife-wielding attackers interrupted a church service, forced the priest to his knees and slit his throat on Tuesday, an attack that President Francois Hollande said showed the threat from militancy was greater than ever.
Police shot and killed the attackers as they emerged from the church, freeing three hostages, one of whom was seriously wounded.
The knifemen arrived during morning mass in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, near Rouen, northwest of Paris, where the 85-year-old parish priest Father Jacques Hamel was leading prayers.
“They forced him to his knees and he tried to defend himself and that’s when the drama began,” Sister Danielle, who escaped as the attackers slew the priest, told RMC radio.
“They filmed themselves. It was like a sermon in Arabic around the altar,” the nun said.
News agency Amaq, which is affiliated with Daesh, said two of its “soldiers” had carried out the attack. Police said one person had been arrested.

Source: Arab News