A MAN who lived in Japan took his own life with a samurai sword while visiting family in the Newport area, an inquest has heard.

Alun Rhys Jones was found at his mum’s home in Rogerstone in the early hours of June 29 this year, Newport Coroner’s Court heard today.

Sister Marianne Caulfield told the inquest Mr Jones was Newport-born but in recent years, had spent time in India, Australia and Japan.

In February, the 51-year-old had returned from his home in Japan - where he was working in a samurai sword store - to visit family for a holiday.

He was also described as having a master collection of samurai swords and had “developed an interest in the samurai tradition.”

Detective Constable Williams attended Tudor Crescent in Rogerstone after reports of a sudden death and seized several items, including swords.

A post mortem by consultant pathologist at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Dr Majid Rashid, said the death was the result of a sword wound.

Senior coroner for Gwent, David Bowen, noted Mr Jones had swords returned to him from a specialist in London shortly before his death.

“It is quite clear from the post mortem examination that he died as a result of a deliberately inflicted wound from a samurai sword,” he said.

He said that in samurai tradition, this is called “harakiri’ and added “in this country, it’s known as suicide”.

A suicide verdict was recorded.