TOKYO, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Payment of compensation for employees of Kyoto Animation Co. studio killed in a fatal arson attack last July has begun, victims' families said Wednesday.
The deaths of the animators were recognized as work-related as the arson attack at the first studio of Kyoto Animation on July 18 last year killed 36 workers and injured 33 others.
Following the incident, the animation company held a briefing session in September on how to apply for workers' compensation.
One of the families who had filed workers' compensation claim said they received a letter of approval in November and part of the payment has already been made.
The Kyoto Labor Bureau has not revealed details in the compensation payment over the attack, such as how many claims were approved, citing privacy reasons.
Kyoto Animation's lawyer said the company has no information as to whether its employees' compensation claims have been accepted.
Shinji Aoba, 41, is suspected to have ignited gasoline inside the three-story building in Kyoto's Fushimi Ward, the center of the company's anime production, where 70 people were working.
Aoba has undergone skin graft surgeries to treat his severe burns. The police have obtained an arrest warrant of the suspect and plan to make arrest after he sufficiently recovers to withstand detention.
