Student found burnt at school; police suspect attempted suicide

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at 19:06 JST
AKITA — A 14-year-old male student was found with serious burns Tuesday at his junior high school in Ugo, Akita Prefecture, police said, adding they suspect he attempted to commit suicide. He remains conscious despite serious burns mainly on his stomach and thighs.

The authorities found what appeared to be a suicide note written by the student on a rack in a classroom, as well as a bottle of ethanol in a corridor where he was found. The note expressed his apprehensions about life, while the student recently told his classroom teacher that he hadn't been sleeping well. (Kyodo News)