Japan to Tighten Security at Care Centers After Knife Massacre

Following last month’s attack at a care facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Japan, the country is set to boost security for the homes.

On July 26 in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, an ex-employee of the facility, Satoshi Uematsu, gained access to the building, and stabbed to death 19 people and wounded 26. He later told police officers that "the disabled should all disappear."

The incident pushed Japanese authorities to contemplate providing financial support to municipalities working to improve security at the country's care centers for disabled, children and the elderly, hospitals, and clinics.

Some family members of people with disabilities voiced concerns that enhanced security goes against the idea that care facilities should be open to local people.

"People with disabilities and their families will hesitate to step into society," one man said, as cited by NHK. "That's what I fear."

But authorities believe that the safety of people in care homes cannot be ignored.

"The care center had taken measures such as the surveillance cameras, but they couldn't prevent the incident," Yoshihide Suga, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, said after the killings. "It's extremely important that we analyze what happened and improve safety measures."

The welfare ministry said this week that it will seek funds for a subsidiary program under the government's planned second supplementary budget for fiscal 2016. It plans to cover half of the expenses on renovation and beefing up security in care facilities.

Currently, an expert panel set up by the ministry is holding discussions to draw up measures to prevent a recurrence of incidents like the mass murder in Sagamihara.

The ministry took action prior to the panel's conclusion, in response to calls for urgent measures.