OSAKA — The man who was arrested Friday in the fatal stabbing of eight pupils at an elementary school in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, said he committed the crimes in a bid to be sent to the gallows, sources said Monday.

Mamoru Takuma, 37, reportedly told police, "I thought I certainly will be sentenced to die if I kill many children of the elite and intelligent."

Takuma had earlier said he tried to kill himself on several occasions but was unable to do so, according to police.