Japanese police said Friday they arrested a suspect in YouTuber’s fatal stabbing in downtown Tokyo.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police said they arrested 42-year-old Kenji Takano at the scene in an attempted murder on Tuesday. He has since been sent to the prosecutor but has not been prosecuted.
Police said the victim Airi Sato, 22, was taken to the hospital after the attacker repeatedly stabbed her in the upper half and was later pronounced dead.
Witnesses and live viewers said they heard her scream seeking help and the stream suddenly turned black. Kyodo News reported that a witness said she saw a woman attacking in a man wearing a black hat and mask, holding her smartphone after she fell. The New York Times reported that after the attack, Sato’s followers posted messages, including “Where has she been?” and “Someone helps!”
Kyodo News via AP
The suspect told police that he had known Sato through her live broadcast and had met her in person, and had seen her many times, and they had a financial dispute. Kyodo News quoted police as saying he is believed to start borrowing her money around 2022.
According to Kyodo News, Sato was attacked in an app called Whowatch and walked alone near the Takadanobaba train station in Shinjuku Ward.
Broadcast NHK report said that Gono borrowed a large sum of money and she did not repay him despite the court order.
Media reports said Gono traveled from Oyan City about 60 miles north of Tokyo and attacked after Sato announced live broadcasts and tracked her location by watching videos.
He told the police that he was not going to kill her.
In Japan, gun control is very strict and violent crime is still rare, but in recent years, there have been many eye-catching knives attacks in recent years due to the bleak prospects of wages and employment, while others use handmade guns.
