The crime left “no room for sympathy,” according to the judge.
Koreaboo
A 57-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a murder that took place in a Tokyo hotel room.
The perpetrator, Ishikawa Akira, retired from Fuji Xerox in 2018 after nearly 30 years, and he received a ¥60 million (about $389,634 USD) severance package. Within six months, he spent all of this money on anime figurines and sugar daddy relationships, called “papa-katsu” in Japan. Between 2018 and 2022, Ishikawa became involved with several women, whom he met through dating apps, including the victim.
The 24-year-old victim, who has only been publicly identified as Ms. A., was a former underground idol and girl group member. In Japan, an underground idol in Japan is an artist who is part of the idol subculture but operates outside the mainstream media and major entertainment industry.
According to court testimony, which took place at the Tokyo District Court’s Tachikawa branch, Ms. A and Ishikawa met in August 2022. He allegedly spent between ¥20 million (approximately $129,881 USD) and ¥30 million ( about $194,822 USD) on Ms. A within a few short months. By the time of the murder, February 2023, Ishikawa had less than ¥1,500 (about $9 USD) in his bank account and was ¥7.4 million (about $48,056 USD) in debt due to his dependence on the relationship.
After paying Ms. A ¥60,000 (about $390 USD) at a hotel in Fuchu, Ishikawa fatally stabbed her with a survival knife multiple times in the neck in what prosecutors claimed was a fit of rage and jealousy. Before fleeing the crime scene, Ishikawa took back the ¥60,000 in cash that he had given Ms. A. The day after the murder, hotel staff called the police after noticing that Ms. A hadn’t checked out of her room. When confronted by police at his home hours after Ms. A’s body was discovered, Ishikawa confessed to the murder, calmly telling the officers, “I killed her.”
During the five-day trial, prosecutors described Ishikawa’s actions as a “complete collapse of reason and restraint” and argued that his “distorted sense of ownership and wounded pride” drove him to kill Ms. A. The defense, however, argued that Ishikawa’s struggles with insomnia, financial ruin, bipolar disorder, and mental instability were to blame for his actions. Ishikawa Akira has now been sentenced to 16 years in prison for murder and theft, with the presiding judge stating that Ishikawa showed “strong intent and a selfish motive, leaving no room for sympathy.”
Ms. A’s friends remember her as a “bright but fragile” person who struggled with ADHD and depression. She was someone who “always chased a dream,” even after her idol career ended.
May she rest in peace.
