Japan
Country Intelligence Summary
108
Dec. 31, 2025
Top Motives and Outcomes in Japan
Top Motives
- Jealousy — 56 case(s)
- Revenge — 44 case(s)
- Control/domination — 39 case(s)
- Fear of exposure — 39 case(s)
- Eliminate romantic partner — 32 case(s)
Top Outcomes
- Arrest made — 96 case(s)
- Legal case ongoing — 89 case(s)
- Homicide during marriage — 65 case(s)
- Investigation still ongoing — 62 case(s)
- Deadbody recovery — 53 case(s)
State / Province Case Counts in Japan
19 case(s)
10 case(s)
7 case(s)
5 case(s)
4 case(s)
4 case(s)
4 case(s)
4 case(s)
4 case(s)
4 case(s)
3 case(s)
3 case(s)
2 case(s)
2 case(s)
2 case(s)
2 case(s)
2 case(s)
2 case(s)
2 case(s)
2 case(s)
1 case(s)
1 case(s)
1 case(s)
1 case(s)
1 case(s)
1 case(s)
1 case(s)
Cases in Japan: Outcome — Homicide during marriage
Haruka Komatsumoto Murder Case, Shika, Ibaraki, Japan
On December 31, 2025, Haruka Komatsumoto, a 31-year-old pregnant manicurist, was found stabbed and beaten in her apartment in Shika, Ibaraki Prefecture. Her husband discovered her bleeding at the entrance. The police found no signs …
State/Province: Ibaraki, Japan | City/Region: Shika | Incident Type: Murder | Date: Dec. 31, 2025
View DetailsHaruka Komatsumoto Allegedly Murdered by Takumi Ouchi, Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
Haruka Komatsumoto, a pregnant nail technician in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Takumi Ouchi. The case involves stalking, obsessive behavior, and a brutal attack using two weapons—a hammer and a kitchen …
State/Province: Ibaraki, Japan | City/Region: Mito | Incident Type: Murder | Date: Dec. 27, 2025
View DetailsKaren Suzuki Murdered by Shogo Nishimitsu, Osaka, Japan
On May 16, 2024, Karen Suzuki, a 19-year-old university student living in Osaka, was fatally stabbed by her boyfriend Shogo Nishimitsu, who confessed to the murder. Nishimitsu had lied about his employment status and concealed …
State/Province: Osaka, Japan | City/Region: Osaka | Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide | Date: May 16, 2024
View DetailsMs. M Disappearance Involving Shota Ozawa, Kofu City, Yamanashi, Japan
In spring 2024, Ms. M, a 40-year-old employee in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, disappeared after leaving work. Security footage showed colleague Shota Ozawa waiting for her and later interacting with her. Ozawa had stalked Ms. …
State/Province: Yamanashi, Japan | City/Region: Kofu City | Incident Type: Murder | Date: April 30, 2024
View DetailsMr. Takahashi and Ms. Kim Allegedly Murdered by Morales and Delacruz, Sumicho 3-chome, Tokyo, Japan
In January 2024, a married couple, Mr. Takahashi and Ms. Kim, went missing from their Tokyo home. Initially, police did not act urgently despite bloodstains reported by their son. Two days later, the couple's bodies …
State/Province: Tokyo, Japan | City/Region: Sumicho 3-chome | Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide | Date: Jan. 16, 2024
View DetailsSetsuko Allegedly Murdered by Tomochika Yoshida, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, Japan
On the night of October 1, 2023, 80-year-old Tomochika Yoshida allegedly strangled his 85-year-old wife, Setsuko, at their home in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. The source describes more than 30 years of marriage, Setsuko's severe visual …
State/Province: Tokyo, Japan | City/Region: Setagaya Ward | Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide | Date: Oct. 1, 2023
View DetailsUnnamed first male victim and Unnamed male victims Allegedly Murdered by Miyuki Ueta, Hiroshima, Japan
The source describes seven men who died in or near Kurayoshi between 2004 and 2009, with sleeping medication reportedly found in their blood. The deaths were initially classified as suicides or accidents despite unusual circumstances, …
State/Province: Hiroshima, Japan | City/Region: Hiroshima | Incident Type: Murder | Date: Jan. 14, 2023
View DetailsShota Allegedly Murdered by Tatsuya and Misako, Wakayama City, Japan
In Wakayama City, a tragic family incident occurred involving a remarried couple, Tatsuya and Misako, and Misako's son Shota. Tatsuya, who was unemployed and addicted to pachinko, frequently demanded money from Misako and subjected her …
State/Province: None | City/Region: Wakayama City | Incident Type: Family Homicide | Date: Jan. 14, 2023
View DetailsMs. O Allegedly Murdered by Kojiro Yamamoto, Sakai, Osaka, Japan
On the night of August 26, 2022, 20-year-old college student Ms. O, also referred to as Ms. Wang in parts of the transcript, was fatally stabbed in Sakai City by her 23-year-old boyfriend, Kojiro Yamamoto, …
State/Province: Osaka, Japan | City/Region: Sakai | Incident Type: Murder | Date: Aug. 26, 2022
View DetailsKako Sasaki Allegedly Murdered by Kojiro Yamamoto, Sakai City, Osaka, Japan
On August 26, 2022, Kako Sasaki, a 20-year-old university student in Sakai City, Osaka, was fatally stabbed by her ex-boyfriend Kojiro Yamamoto after a recent breakup. The incident involved domestic violence, jealousy, and a violent …
State/Province: Osaka, Japan | City/Region: Sakai City | Incident Type: Murder | Date: Aug. 26, 2022
View DetailsY-san Disappearance Involving Katagiri Shu, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
Y-san, a 47-year-old married high school teacher, disappeared after telling her family she was going to Kushiro on May 29, 2022. Police determined that she had been killed by Katagiri Shu, her married affair partner, …
State/Province: Hokkaido, Japan | City/Region: Obihiro | Incident Type: Murder | Date: May 30, 2022
View DetailsToshio Ohashi and Yoshito Ohashi Allegedly Murdered by Toshiko Ohashi, Asahi, Chiba, Japan
In November 2021, a fire in a detached house in Asahi, Chiba Prefecture, resulted in the deaths of Toshio Ohashi, a paralyzed husband, and his severely disabled son Yoshito. The wife, Toshiko Ohashi, escaped and …
State/Province: Chiba, Japan | City/Region: Asahi | Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide | Date: Nov. 17, 2021
View DetailsHaruka and Haruka's unnamed daughter Allegedly Murdered by Watanabe Ken, Niigata City, Japan
According to the video report, Watanabe Ken allegedly killed his wife, Haruka, and their approximately one-year-old daughter at their home in Niigata City in November 2021. The reported relationship context involved a continuing affair, separation, …
State/Province: Niigata, Japan | City/Region: Niigata City | Incident Type: Family Homicide | Date: Nov. 15, 2021
View DetailsYoko Watanabe and Nozomi Watanabe Murdered by Ken Watanabe, Niigata, Japan
On November 7, 2021, nurse Ken Watanabe killed his wife, Yoko Watanabe, and their young daughter, Nozomi, in their home in Niigata. He initially staged the scene to resemble a suicide and created messages using …
State/Province: Niigata, Japan | City/Region: Niigata | Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide | Date: Nov. 7, 2021
View DetailsHaruka Watanabe Murdered by Ms. A and Watanabe, Niigata City, Niigata, Japan
In 2021, nurse Haruka Watanabe and her one-year-old daughter were found dead at their home in Niigata City. Initially considered a suicide or accident, investigation revealed horizontal rope marks inconsistent with hanging. Haruka's husband, Watanabe, …
State/Province: Niigata, Japan | City/Region: Niigata City | Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide | Date: Nov. 7, 2021
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