OSAKA (TR) – A court here on Friday handed a 42-year-old man an eight-year prison term in connection with the death of his niece and encasing of her corpse in concrete for nearly two decades, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Mar. 13).
At the Osaka District Court, presiding judge Hiroki Ito described the crimes of Noriyuki Iimori as “heartless and malicious.”
Between December 2006 and January the following year, Noriyuki Iimori, fatally beat and kicked his niece, 6-year-old Reina, in the face and body at their then-residence in Hirano Ward, Osaka City. He then encased her body in concrete and stored it for approximately 18 years.
“Strong condemnation”
The prosecution had sought a 12-year prison sentence for Iimori, while the defense argued that a term of 4 years or less was appropriate.
Iimori, who weighed 120 kilograms at the time of the incident, appeared in court looking approximately 40 kilograms lighter.
In its opening statement, the prosecution said that Iimori took Reina grew increasingly frustrated with her disobedience and began to physically abuse her after taking charge of her in 2006.
On the day of the incident, Iimori became enraged when Reina disobeyed his instructions, leading to her death. The prosecution argued that “the consequences are serious and deserve strong condemnation.”
“I was terrified”
During the trial, the defendant admitted to allegations of manslaughter and abandoning a corpse. “I felt guilty for killing Reina and encasing her in concrete, and I was terrified of when the police would come,” he said.
The defense argued that there was room for sympathy regarding the circumstances under which the defendant was forced to raise Reina, but Judge Ito stated that it could not be said that the defendant lacked the idea of consulting with others and seeking help. Judge Ito said, “the defendant’s insincerity in failing to do so is the background [to the incident].”
On the other hand, the judge pointed out that there was no evidence of abuse, nor was there any neglect of care, such as failing to provide sufficient food.
In handing down the ruling, the judge took into account that Iimori admitted to the charges and cooperated with the police investigation. He also faced responsibility and expressed remorse in court, the judge said.
Judge Ito said Iimori “mercilessly attacked an innocent child, causing her death.” He went on to say that the defendant “undermined respect for a corpse in order to protect himself.”
“Precious child”
Born in 2000, Reina is the daughter of Iimori’s older sister. After a while, she began living with her grandfather, who is Iimori’s father. But around September 2006, she was entrusted to the defendant, whom she adored, calling him “Papa.” By this time, her mother had left the home to work as a live-in maid to repay debts.
The defendant was 23 years old at the time. Unable to read or write kanji, he was unemployed and lived with his girlfriend Akari Shibata, who is five years his junior. He described Reina as a “precious, precious child.” The defendant tried his best to raise Reina, even buying her a cake for her sixth birthday in October of 2006.
However, he soon began to find parenting difficult, as things didn’t always go as planned. One day, between December of that year and the following January, he uncontrollably assaulted Reina at his then-residence in Hirano Ward, Osaka City after accusing her of lying, which resulted in her death. At his father’s suggestion, he placed her body in a metal clothing case and poured concrete over it.
Despite having left home, Reina’s mother hadn’t completely cut ties with the family. She met with the defendant and Reina’s grandfather every few months, handing them clothes and gifts prepared for Reina. She also made cash payments up to 800,000 yen each time as child support.
Since the defendant did not reveal to her mother that Reina was dead, this continued until around 2018. “I want to see her,” her mother said. “I want a picture.” However, the defendant refused each time.
Left behind
Over the years, Iimori transported Reina’s body between several residences in Yao City using a cart.
The incident emerged on February 25, 2025, after the manager of an apartment building in Yao reported that the previous occupant had left behind the metal clothing case.
Iimori’s father had lived alone in the unit. However, moved out to enter a facility.
Shibata is currently on trial for abandoning a corpse. The defendant’s grandfather was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of abandoning a corpse, but was not indicted.
