Japanese man shot dead in RP

Japanese man shot dead in RP

MANILA (AFP): A Japanese man was shot dead at his orchid farm just south of Manila on New Year's Eve in what police said was the result of a family feud.

Seishiro Shegasawa, 59, was tending to his plants in the town of Trece Martires, Cavite province across Manila Bay when the lone suspect shot him at close range with an assault rifle, police said yesterday.

He died from five bullet wounds to the body, police said. Police suspect the motive could be revenge. The suspect's cousin who had worked as a caretaker in Shegasawa's orchid farm was killed last year and the family believed the Japanese farmer was behind his death.

Shegasawa has denied any involvement.