Kohei Iizuka, a 36-year-old unemployed man, is on trial for the murder of Hiroshi Shinjo, his probation officer, in Otsu City. During the courtroom proceedings, Iizuka stated that he could only express deep remorse, saying, 'I can only apologize extremely.' As he responded to questions, he reflected on the emotional weight of his actions, recognizing the pain and suffering inflicted upon the deceased's family. Iizuka articulated that he acknowledged the severity of his crime and the life-long regret he would harbor while serving his sentence.

The charges against Iizuka indicate that on May 24, 2024, he visited Shinjo's home for a meeting related to his rehabilitation and fatally attacked him with a knife and an axe. At the preliminary hearing, he admitted to the charges and bizarrely claimed that he acted under the guidance of what he called the 'guardian deity.' This statement has raised questions about his mental state and motivations at the time of the crime.

In a notable moment of the trial, a clinical psychologist testified regarding Iizuka's psychological evaluation, stating that his concept of the 'guardian deity' stemmed from a coping mechanism he developed through self-questioning to gain certainty in his decisions. This insight adds another layer of complexity to the case, as it may influence how the court perceives Iizuka's mental health and accountability in the eyes of the law.