An open space between residential buildings at the new Tsukui Yamayuri En facility is seen in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, on July 4, 2021. (Mainichi/Yuki Miyatake)

       YOKOHAMA -- A residential care facility for people with disabilities just south of Tokyo, where a stabbing spree left 19 people dead and 26 others injured in July 2016, has been rebuilt and reopened, and will start accommodating residents in August.

       An opening ceremony was held on July 4 at the Tsukui Yamayuri En facility in the Kanagawa Prefecture city of Sagamihara, ahead of the fifth anniversary of the stabbing rampage on July 26. A memorial ceremony, which was canceled last year due to the spread of coronavirus infections, will be held at the site on July 20.

       Most of Yamayuri En was demolished after the massacre, and about 120 former residents are currently living mainly at a temporary property in Yokohama and other care homes. Regarding securing places for people with disabilities, the Kanagawa Prefectural Government is aiming for a "transition to a community," in which they gradually move from care facilities to group homes. In line with this initiative, the residential capacity for the new Yamayuri En has been reduced from the 160 before the incident to 66, and each resident will have a private room.

       Thorough safety measures, including installing infrared sensors and security windows and electronic locks, have been taken at the new building. The interior with a wood-grain finish gets plenty of natural light, making it feel open.

       The opening ceremony was attended by 44 people including those who will reside there, their family members and related parties. Takayuki Kayanuma, 55, who will return there from a temporary facility in Yokohama said in a speech, "I'm looking forward to living in the new place." The facility respects residents' wishes on whether they want to return there, and some 50 people are planning to move in to the new Yamayuri En in August.

       "We've finally come back to this place," said Kazuma Otsuki, head of the association of family members of Yamayuri En residents. "I hope they have fun here." Yamayuri En director Kiyomitsu Nagai said, "We'd like to offer support to the residents to accommodate their needs."

       (Japanese original by Nami Takata, Yokohama Bureau)

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