JAPAN. EX-CONSTRUCTION BOSS HANDED DEATH SENTENCE OVER YAMANASHI KILLINGS

former construction company boss Yoshihiro Asa, 57, accused of murder and injury resulting in death after three bodies were uncovered at a camp site in Yamanashi Prefecture in 2003, was sentenced to death in a ruling at the Kofu District Court, Japan.
"His motives were selfish and his criminal responsibility is extremely heavy," said Presiding Judge Toshio Kawashima.
Asa was convicted of conspiring to commit the crimes with others who were working at his firm. On May 14, 2000, he attacked and strangled two workers who damaged property in an accident at the construction firm he managed, according to the ruling.
In about March 1997, he also attacked a male worker who had a defiant attitude, hitting the worker with a wooden sword, the court ruled. He failed to provide the necessary care for the worker, causing him to die from pneumonia, the ruling said.