The man strangled and decapitated 11-year-old Jun Hase, and bludgeoned to death Ayaka Yamashita, 10. He spent more than six years in the facility in suburban Tokyo and was released on a provisional basis in March after completing rehabilitation and education programs.

Justice Ministry officials said that volunteers have agreed to set up a support team to continue assisting the man after his complete release, and that the families of the two victims will probably be able to receive regular reports on his condition.

The officials said the man is living "a stable and quiet life," and is healthy and employed. They would not reveal where he lives, other than to say it is not in the Kinki region.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 25, 2004
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