On Tuesday police completed the process of releasing identities of all 35 victims in July's arson attack on a Kyoto Animation Co. studio, which took more than a month as they tried to negotiate consent with grieving family members.
The same day, police made public information on 25 victims despite resistance from relatives of 20 of those victims. The police explained that their decision was based on the "seriousness and the high degree of public interest" in the case.
"We're recognize it took time for families to acknowledge (the victims') deaths in this appalling case. With the last funeral service done, the identities were made public today," said Ryoji Nishiyama, head of the homicide section at Kyoto Prefectural Police headquarters.