Tokyo police have arrested a man on suspicion of murdering the president of an audio equipment-related company who was found dead at his apartment in Tokyo’s Ota Ward last week.
The Metropolitan Police Department on Friday arrested Masahiro Yamanaka, 45, the company’s sales manager, on suspicion of killing company President Akihiro Kawashima, 44, a day earlier, investigative sources said.
According to investigators, Yamanaka told police during voluntary questioning on the same day that he was dissatisfied with Kawashima’s attitude. He said, “I sprayed insecticide that was at the entrance into his face, and when he faltered, I stabbed his thigh and neck with a fruit knife I had brought to threaten him.”
Then, he said, “I chased him and stabbed him from behind.”
Security camera footage shows Yamanaka leaving his home around 5 p.m. Wednesday and walking to the apartment, entering the building at about 5:40 p.m.
Investigators said Kawashima returned home around 6:40 p.m., and Yamanaka left the apartment roughly 50 minutes later. Bloodstained footprints were found inside the apartment and on the emergency stairway.
Kawashima was stabbed more than 10 times in the neck, stomach and thigh, and had multiple defensive wounds on the fingers of both hands, suggesting he had struggled with his attacker. Bloodstains were also found in the dining area, kitchen and hallway, as well as on the floors of the bathroom and dressing area, leading police to suspect Yamanaka washed blood off his body after the attack.
Investigators also believe Yamanaka changed clothes before and after the killing. Camera footage shows him leaving his home wearing black clothing, entering the apartment building in a white jacket and different sneakers, and then leaving the building around 7:30 p.m. having changed back into his original outfit.
Yamanaka allegedly locked the apartment door afterward using a key that had been placed near the entrance. He then put the key through the mail slot in an apparent attempt to delay discovery of the crime.
On Friday morning, a day after Kawashima’s body was found, investigators stopped Yamanaka as he was walking toward a shinkansen platform at Tokyo Station.
Police searched Yamanaka’s home on Saturday, seizing about 30 items including clothing, a computer and company-related documents, as they continue to investigate whether the crime was premeditated.
Yamanaka’s 72-year-old mother apologized on Saturday, saying her son had done “something irreparable” and lamenting, “Why couldn’t I have stopped him?”
According to her, Yamanaka and Kawashima had been classmates in high school and remained close for years. She said she had met Kawashima several times and vividly remembered him shedding tears of joy at Yamanaka’s wedding about eight years ago.
Yamanaka later joined Kawashima’s company at his request to serve as a bridge between management and employees, and the two even traveled together. Describing her son as cheerful and gentle as a child who disliked violence, she said, “If he had problems at work, he should have walked away. Kawashima’s life will never return, but I hope my son reflects on what he has done and atones for his crime.”
Source – https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/11/japan/crime-legal/ota-ward-murder-arrest/