Japan marks the 10-year anniversary of the Tsukui Yamayuri-en attack this week, with former staff calling for a societal re-evaluation of disabled lives [1].
The anniversary serves as a critical reminder of the systemic devaluation of people with disabilities and the danger of ideologies that justify violence against them.
The original attack occurred on July 26, 2016, at a facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Midori-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture [1, 2]. The perpetrator, Satoshi Uematsu, killed and injured 45 people [3].
Junshi Nishizumi, a former staff member and certified social worker, said the tragedy is not merely a past event but a continuing question for society. He said the victims have been left behind in the aftermath of the crime [3].
Nishizumi highlighted the contradiction of the attacker's role, noting that Uematsu was supposed to support people with disabilities [3]. He said the core issue is the act of selecting which lives have value based on ability or gender, a mindset he believes still exists today [3].
"Everyone has value in living," Nishizaki said. "I feel this incident is not a past event, but an incident that continues to question society" [3].
Memorial efforts continue at the site. A monument originally engraved with 10 names was updated in 2025 to include an additional name, bringing the total to 11 [1]. The facility remains a focal point for those advocating for the rights and dignity of the intellectually disabled in Japan.
“"Everyone has value in living."”
The 10-year anniversary of the Tsukui Yamayuri-en attack underscores a persistent struggle in Japan to dismantle eugenicist ideologies. By framing the massacre as a societal failure rather than an isolated criminal act, advocates are pushing for a shift from mere remembrance to active systemic change in how the state and public perceive the 'value' of disabled citizens.
