18-year-old U.S. tourist arrested in Tokyo over arson

An 18-year-old American tourist was arrested in Tokyo on Tuesday over alleged arson in the capital, with police investigating a further six incidents as well.
The man, who has been visiting Japan with his family since Oct. 9, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of setting fire to a container used to collect recycling outside an apartment building in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo on Monday at around 3 a.m.
The building’s security camera captured a figure dressed in all-black — thought to be the suspect — carrying out the act, Nippon TV reported on Thursday.
There had been similar fires in six locations in nearby Chuo and Sumida wards over several days leading up to Monday, all involving things like trash bags being set on fire. The police are currently investigating the suspect’s ties to these arson attacks as well.
The 18-year-old has told police that he did not conduct these acts of arson.
The suspect and his family had visited areas like the capital’s Akihabara district and Tokyo Disney Resort, and he had been set to leave the country on Wednesday.