The attack was the sixth largest mass murder , along with the Matsumoto incident , in recent Japanese history , exceeded in fatalities only by the Tokyo subway sarin attack , the Osaka movie theater fire , the Sagamihara stabbings , Kyoto Animation arson attack , and the Myojo 56 building fire . The incident set itself apart , however , by the age of the victims , its venue ( a school ) , and the perpetrator 's history of mental illness . Because of these factors , the attack raised questions about Japan 's social policies for dealing with mental illness , the rights of victims and criminals , and the accessibility and security of Japanese schools
Kyoto Animation arson attack
Kyoto Animation arson attack
Osaka school massacre