The trial of Kohei Iizuka, accused of murdering his probation officer Hiroshi Shinjo in Otsu City, is taking place at the Otsu District Court. Iizuka, 36, was charged with murder and obstruction of public duties, facing the court's judgment on the 18th of this month. During his testimony, the defendant claimed that he had no grudge against Shinjo and utilized the incident to express his frustrations towards the government for what he perceived as impediments to his rehabilitation process. At the time of the crime, Iizuka was on probation under a suspended sentence, with Shinjo assigned to help facilitate his reintegration.

The prosecution elaborated that Iizuka fatally attacked Shinjo with a knife and an axe at the victim's home in May 2024. According to Iizuka's account during the hearing, he ha planned the attack during a meeting with Shinjo, seizing the opportunity when he requested to use the restroom to prepare the weapons. He recounted the moment of the assault, where he struck from behind and indicated that he was paralyzed with panic despite Shinjo's pleas for him to stop.

Iizuka expressed a dismissive attitude towards probationary consultations, deeming them unnecessary and insincere, instead indicating he believed he could manipulate the system to his advantage. Initially, he considered more significant attacks on public figures like governors and lawmakers but ultimately opted to target Shinjo, reasoning that killing a probation officer would cast a negative light on the probationary system in society.