Man gets 19 years in prison for arson murders of wife, two children

Killing 3 people is mass murder...and only 19 years? It makes me wonder how serious of crime do you have to commit to end up on death row in Japan.

Yes, odd. I thought the requirements were usually killing more than one person and in a premeditated or especially brutal way, which I would have thought these murders would fulfil.

Killing 3 people is mass murder...and only 19 years? It makes me wonder how serious of crime do you have to commit to end up on death row in Japan/

Pardon me, but the sentenced in Japan is too light. 19 years？ Thats supposed to be a 90 years for killing his own family·

10 years for each innocent victim, with hard labor.

The sentence is a 'joke' and NO laughing matter. Perhaps the judge/s should also be locked up for another 19 years after the family killer's prison term is over. They too deserve something and it's not a paycheck.

He should have got 19 years for arson!

And to think, this guy will be serving less time than the woman who was just freed by Trump/Kardashian and was originally slated to stay in jail for life for a non-violent crime.

@Vince Black

The Japanese justice system is truly a joke.

I agree mate. But no more a joke than where I come from (The UK) and probably where you come from too.

There never seems to be any justice for the victims who suffer a "whole life sentence" mentally.

@Yubaru, I read it. I was wondering whether it was accurate. Are you saying it is?

I may be wrong, but was he not given a life sentence with a minimum of 19 years to be served before he will be considered for parole? Please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Did you read the article?

A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for the arson-murders of his 31-year-old wife and two children aged 3 and 1, last year in Tome, Miyagi Prefecture.

Shimaya’s defense had argued that he was drunk at the time and did not intend to kill anyone.

I can't believe that was his defense. This guy should never see the light of day again.

Was looking for the golden word "unemployed" in the article but did not see it. Knocks up his wife then burns her and the unborn to death. Real winner there...

I may be wrong, but was he not given a life sentence with a minimum of 19 years to be served before he will be considered for parole? Please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Literally "getting away with murder".

The Japanese justice system is truly a joke.

This "creep" should have gotten the "Death Penalty" for starting the fire and killing 3 people!

@ strange - did you even read the last paragraph that's exactly what it says about his defense

The court heard that Miyu had sought help from police in 2015, saying that her husband would often get drunk and physically abuse her.

Yet another case of cops just patting a woman on the back, sending her home, and looking the other way!

Shimaya’s defense had argued that he was drunk at the time and did not intend to kill anyone.

Nice try, you aren't a policitian or celebrity so this defense isnt going to work! Thank goodness!

The old "I was drunk and don't remember a thing" defense got him a light sentence WTF

There's nothing in the article that suggests that this was the reasoning behind his sentence.

Michael Jackson - Are you freaking kidding me he killed his whole family and he only got 19 years WTF is wrong with the justice system in Japan

Im having trouble believing the ‘I was drunk’ excuse was used as his defense.

The old "I was drunk and don't remember a thing" defense got him a light sentence WTF

Are you freaking kidding me he killed his whole family and he only got 19 years WTF is wrong with the justice system in Japan