A man in his 60s was indicted for arson after setting himself on fire at the Takahama City Hall in Aichi Prefecture, citing his struggles with life and a desire to make a statement about a tax issue.
On July 16, 2024, a man in his 60s reportedly entered the Takahama City Hall in Aichi Prefecture, where he committed self-immolation using gasoline he had brought in a plastic bottle. The local police have charged him with arson and injury. The man recognized the charges, stating that he was feeling hopeless and had intended to showcase his plight related to tax collection efforts by the city hall, which he felt were unfair.
Details from the investigation indicate that before setting himself on fire, the man brandished a knife at the tax office on the first floor of the city hall. His actions resulted in minor injuries to a visitor and severe burns to himself. Peering into the motive, it was suggested that this act was a desperate attempt at self-harm, arising from a conflict he had with local authorities over tax delinquency.
Subsequently, he was arrested on the day of the incident but was released later for medical treatment. The local police are continuing their investigation into the incident and treating it as a case of attempted suicide through self-immolation. The situation highlights ongoing issues regarding tax collection pressures and the impact they may have on vulnerable individuals within the community.
