The defense counsel for a 21-year-old man on Thursday appealed his death sentence for murder and arson he committed as a minor in 2021.
The Kofu District Court's ruling last month for Yuki Endo was the first instance of capital punishment given to an offender who was 19 at the time of the crime and whose name was revealed under a 2022 revision of the Juveniles Law.
The change in the law allowed the media to reveal the identities of indicted 18- and 19-year-old offenders.
Throughout his trial, Endo said he had no intention of appealing the court's decision.
The defense requested a lighter sentence, arguing that there is still potential for the defendant to reform.
In handing down the ruling, Presiding Judge Jun Mikami recognized Endo's full criminal liability and said his age "should not be a reason to avoid the death penalty."
Endo fatally stabbed the 55-year-old father and 50-year-old mother of a female acquaintance at their home in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture on Oct. 12, 2021, after she refused to go on a date with him, according to the ruling.
He also injured the acquaintance's younger sister and set fire to the house, the ruling said. The acquaintance was not injured.
Related coverage:
21-year-old man given death penalty for 2021 murder, arson in Japan
Kyoto Animation arsonist's defense appeals death sentence
Top court rejects 10th retrial request for 1961 poisoned-wine murders
