Police said he also was arrested two years ago on suspicion of slipping tranquilizers into the tea of teachers at the elementary school where he worked. Media reports said he was not charged because he was deemed mentally unstable, then was sent to a hospital where he was diagnosed as schizophrenic and eventually released after treatment. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has promised a review of Japan's penal system. School boards nationwide convened to look into strengthening security measures. Japanese schools pride themselves on their openness to the community, with students taking part in extracurricular activities even on weekends and during vacations.
Few schools have guards during the day.
Mayuko had grand plans for the summer, her father said, reading from a school essay the girl recently wrote. A photograph showed a beaming Mayuko performing in a piano recital. Copyright 2001, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Please read it.