Press "Enter" to skip to content

Female victim in alleged arson attack by ex-Nomura employee: ‘I feel nothing but anger’

TOKYO (TR) – Following the indictment of a former Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. employee for the alleged drugging and robbery of elderly clients in Hiroshima City, the female victim last week expressed displeasure towards the major securities firm, reports NHK (Dec. 13).

The female victim, aged in her 80s, said through a statement released by her lawyer on December 13, “I am deeply shocked that I was betrayed by someone I trusted as a major securities firm.”

Between 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on July 28, Yusei Kajiwara, 29, allegedly gave sleeping pills to the couple, aged in their 80s, at their home in Nishi Ward.

With the pair in a drowsy state, he is then alleged to have stolen approximately 26 million yen in cash and a Boston bag before setting the house on fire.

The couple noticed the fire and fled. They were not injured, police said previously.

Kajiwara was indicted on charges of attempted murder-robbery and arson on November 20.

“When I woke up I saw flames and my husband and desperately ran outside,” the victim also said in the statement. “When I think about what would have happened if I hadn’t woken up, I can’t stop trembling with fear.”

Kentaro Okuda (X)

“I feel nothing but anger”

At the time of the incident, Kajiwara was in charge of sales at the Hiroshima branch of Nomura Securities. The company dismissed him in August.

Regarding the defendant, she said, “The shock of being betrayed in this way by someone I trusted with confidence as a major securities company is so great that I am mentally exhausted. I feel nothing but anger and unforgiveness toward the perpetrator, but I want them to honestly admit the facts and be severely punished so that they realize the gravity of their crime.”

On December 3, Kentaro Okuda, the president of Nomura Securities, apologized for the incident at a press conference in Tokyo. “I deeply apologize to the victims and many other people involved for causing so much worry and inconvenience,” Okuda said. “This is something that should never have happened, and we take it very seriously.”

Okuda will give up 30 percent of his monthly salary for three months to take responsibility for the matter.

In November, Nomura Securities announced measures to prevent a recurrence, such as establishing a rule that requires prior approval from a superior before employees in the personal sales department visit clients.