Cartoonist may have slipped taking photo, fallen to death

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Yoshito Usui, the "Crayon Shin-chan" cartoonist whose body was found on Mt. Arafune in Gunma Prefecture on Saturday, may have slipped from a rock face while taking a photograph, according to the publisher of the work.

Futabasha Publishers Ltd. held a press conference in Tokyo on Monday--the day after the body was confirmed as being that of the manga artist. A spokesman said Usui's digital camera, which was found near his body, contained photographs taken from the Tomoiwa rock face from which he is believed to have fallen.

"Perhaps his foot slipped at the moment he took a photograph from the rock face," the spokesman said, adding that the photograph in question was the last of about 30 that Usui took during his hike.

The detached strap of the camera was wrapped around Usui's wrist when he was found, according to a senior editor to whom the police showed the photographs. The camera, which was still on, may have been torn from the strap when Usui fell.

Usui was said to have an inquisitive nature and often took photographs, including shots on which he based his drawings.

"We are deeply saddened [by Usui's death], and it has come as a tremendous shock to us," the spokesman said at the press conference, before passing on a message of thanks from Usui's family for support received from members of the public.

The publisher plans to carry a condolence message in October's issue of Manga Town, the manga magazine that carries the "Crayon Shin-chan" strip.