Japanese authorities arrested a 42-year-old man in connection with the fatal stabbing of a YouTuber who was livestreaming on a busy street in downtown Tokyo.
The suspect, Kenji Takano, was apprehended on the spot on suspicion of attempted murder on Tuesday and has since been handed over to prosecutors, though formal charges have yet to be filed.
The victim, 22-year-old Airi Sato, was livestreaming when she was repeatedly stabbed in the upper body. Witnesses and viewers of the livestream reported hearing her scream for help before the stream abruptly ended. Sato was rushed to a hospital with critical injuries but was later pronounced dead.
Takano reportedly told police that he had met Sato through her livestreams and had interacted with her in person on several occasions. The two had a financial dispute, with Takano claiming he had lent Sato a large sum of money that she failed to repay, despite a court order.
He allegedly travelled from the Oyama city, approximately 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Tokyo, to carry out the attack. He reportedly tracked Sato’s location after she announced her livestream and used the footage to find her. Despite the violent nature of the attack, Takano told police that he did not intend to kill her.
The attack on Sato has shocked the nation, highlighting the risks faced by online content creators who share their lives publicly. Livestreaming, while a popular way to connect with audiences, can also expose creators to potential dangers, as their locations and activities are often easily traceable.
While Japan is known for its low crime rates and strict gun control laws, there has been a noticeable increase in high-profile knife attacks and incidents involving handmade guns in recent years.
