Police arrest two individuals in separate Japanese arson cases

Police in Japan have made two separate arrests related to suspected arson incidents in Ehime and Osaka prefectures.

In Ehime Prefecture's Kihoku Town, a 21-year-old unemployed woman was arrested on August 10 for an attempted arson at her residence. On the afternoon of August 9, she allegedly set fire to a kitchen area adjacent to the living quarters of a wooden single-story house owned by an 80-year-old man. The fire caused damage to approximately 2 square meters of property, including curtains, but did not consume the building. The suspect has reportedly admitted to the allegations.

In Daito City, Osaka Prefecture, a 31-year-old unemployed man, Takashi Otsuka, was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a residential property on July 13. The blaze damaged part of a house wall and a parked light vehicle. Two women in their 40s and 70s were sleeping in the home at the time of the incident but were unharmed. Police identified the suspect through surveillance camera footage. Investigators noted there was no known connection between the suspect and the residents, and they are continuing to investigate his motives.