TOKYO (TR) – A 42-year-old man living in Tochigi Prefecture who is in custody in connection with the fatal stabbing of a female live streamer in Shinjuku Ward on Monday has denied having an intent to kill, police said.
At around 9:50 a.m. Kenichi Takano, allegedly used a knife with a 13-centimeter-long blade to repeatedly stab Airi Sato, 22, on a street in the Takadanobaba area.
Sato suffered dozens of stab wounds, mainly to her chest, face and other parts of her upper body. She was transported to a hospital while unconscious. She was later confirmed dead, police said, reports Fuji News Newtwork (Mar. 12).
Police apprehended Takano at the scene. Upon his arrest on suspicion of attempted murder, he denied the allegations. “I did not intend to kill,” he told police.
Covering living expenses
During questioning, Takano, a resident of Koyama City, Tochigi, stated that he had lent Sato, who lives in Tama City, Tokyo, more than 2 million yen. He also said that he had been transferring money to her for living expenses, such as mobile phone bills.
He also said that he “purchased the survival knife through mail order two to three months ago,” reports TV Asahi (Mar. 12).
Police believe that he stabbed her repeatedly out due to a grudge he had against her.
Ambush
Takano said, “I saw a preview of a streaming video in which Sato went around [on foot] the Yamanote Line, and came to Tokyo from my home in Tochigi Prefecture on the day of the incident.”
Sato live-streamed under the handle Mogami Ai. Based on security camera footage, Takano ambushed Sato as she live-steamed on the street.
Police retrieved the survival knife, which was soaked in blood, from the scene. Takano was also in possession of a second knife.
The incident took place about 350 meters south of JR Takadanobaba Station, which is on the Yamanote Line.
Police are continuing the investigation on suspicion of murder.
