Kazuya Ono, a 53-year-old survivor of the Tsukui Yamayuri-en stabbing, now lives independently in a community apartment [1].
His transition to independent living marks a significant milestone in recovery and disability rights 10 years after one of Japan's most violent attacks against people with disabilities [3].
Ono currently resides in an apartment near his family home in Saitama Prefecture [2]. While he lives independently, he continues to receive ongoing support from a care worker to maintain his quality of life [1].
The attack occurred in July 2016 at the Tsukui Yamayuri-en facility in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture [2]. Former staff member Seiji Uematsu targeted residents because of a hatred for people with disabilities [1]. Uematsu said that people who cannot communicate should be stabbed and that it would be better if disabled people disappeared [1].
The massacre resulted in the deaths of 19 residents [1]. Reports on the number of injured vary slightly, with some sources stating 26 people were wounded [3], and others reporting 27 [2].
Ono is among those who survived the event that left many others dead or severely injured. His current living situation reflects a shift toward community-based care, moving away from the institutional environment of the facility where the attack took place [1].
“"It would be better if disabled people disappeared"”
Ono's move from an institutional facility to a community apartment highlights the evolving approach to disability care in Japan. By transitioning from a secluded environment to one integrated with family and professional support, his case underscores the push for 'deinstitutionalization' and the right of disabled individuals to live autonomously within society.
