4 Years On, Osaka Arson Victim’s Sister Helps Rehabilitate Inmates

Osaka, Dec. 16 (Jiji Press)–Four years after a deadly arson attack on a psychosomatic clinic in the western Japan city of Osaka, the sister of the clinic’s then 49-year-old director is helping rehabilitate inmates, as well as people suffering from drug addiction. Nobuko Nishizawa, 48, whose brother, Kotaro, was among the 26 victims of the Dec. 17, 2021, attack, began meeting with inmates this year. At a correctional medical facility in the city of Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, in July, she met with a foreign inmate in his 20s who had committed fraud after losing his part-time job. When the inmate expressed concern about his life after release, Nishizawa said, “You have to reflect on your actions, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to be happy.” The inmate asked for advice on how to organize his feelings, and she replied: “It’s good to step away and stop thinking about it. Everyone experiences momentary anger.” After the one-hour meeting, the inmate said he was glad to have spoken with Nishizawa because it helped resolve his vague anxieties. In September 2023, Nishizawa attended the trial of the suspect in the 2019 deadly arson attack on Kyoto Animation Co., or KyoAni, and a journalist asked her what could have been done to prevent the attack. This question prompted her to begin providing rehabilitation support. At the time, she realized the importance of preventing repeat offenses, as both suspects in the KyoAni and clinic arson attacks had arrest records. Since last year, Nishizawa has participated in the activities of a group that supports the rehabilitation of drug addiction patients and former inmates. In addition, she gave a lecture for inmates at the Sakai correctional medical facility and started meeting with inmates in May. She has since spoken with seven inmates. Conversations between Nishizawa and inmates cover a wide range of topics, such as their backgrounds, the cases they were involved in, and life at the correctional facility. As many inmates are concerned about life after release, Nishizawa tries to send positive messages encouraging them to make a fresh start. “I just want them to experience being encouraged by someone who is a family member of a crime victim,” she said. “I hope it helps them rebuild their lives after they’re released.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]