In a landmark ruling, a Japanese court has handed down a death sentence to Masanori Aoki, a 34-year-old man responsible for a deadly rampage in Nakano city in 2023. Aoki’s violent spree began when he fatally stabbed two women who were out for a walk, followed by the fatal shooting of two police officers who responded to the scene. The officers were armed with a hunting rifle, a weapon rarely used in Japan due to the country’s stringent gun control laws. This incident marked one of the most shocking episodes of gun violence in Japan in over three decades. The defense argued that Aoki’s schizophrenia diminished his capacity, warranting a life sentence instead of capital punishment. However, prosecutors countered that Aoki acted with clear intent and demonstrated “exceptional cruelty and cold-bloodedness” during the attacks. According to reports, Aoki believed the women were speaking ill of him, though it remains unclear if he knew them personally. After the murders, he barricaded himself in his parents’ home for 12 hours before surrendering. His father, Masamichi Aoki, is a prominent figure in Nakano city’s assembly. The incident prompted authorities to tighten gun ownership laws, particularly for hunting rifles like the one used in the attack. Japan’s strict regulations on firearms make such violent acts exceedingly rare, adding to the shock and gravity of this case.