Nearly a year ago, a disturbed man in Kanagawa Prefecture committed mass murder at a care facility for people with intellectual disabilities. Some regard the incident as an illustration of attitudes toward people with disabilities: part deep-rooted indifference, part discrimination and part aversion. And while the tragedy may have faded in the minds of most people, the plight of those living with disabilities remains unchanged.

On the early morning of July 26, 2016, Satoshi Uematsu stabbed to death 19 residents in the Tsukui Yamayuri En care home in Sagamihara and wounded 24 others, according to prosecutors.

The incident sent shock waves through the country as Uematsu, 27, was a former worker at the facility and claimed that those who have disabilities must disappear.