Fatal Stabbing of Livestreamer in Tokyo Linked to Unpaid Debt Dispute

A 42-year-old man named Kenichi Takano has been taken into custody by Tokyo police for allegedly carrying out a deadly stabbing of a 22-year-old woman identified as Airi Sato. The tragic incident took place on Tuesday morning in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward while Sato was livestreaming herself walking. According to police, Takano has admitted to the attack, claiming it was motivated by an unsettled debt owed by Sato.

Authorities indicate that Takano, residing in Oyama city of Tochigi Prefecture, lent money to Sato on multiple occasions beginning in 2022. He is reported to have transferred approximately ¥2 million ($13,520) to her at her request, primarily for living costs and phone bills. Investigations have revealed that he borrowed the money from consumer lending institutions. Frustrated by her repeated failure to repay the sum, Takano reportedly made the decision to launch an attack.

As early as January 2024, Takano actually had contacted the Tochigi Prefectural Police, complaining that Sato had failed to return the funds. This financial dispute is believed by investigators to be at the core of the violence committed against Sato.

Police have uncovered that the victim, Sato, earned her livelihood primarily through livestreaming via the app WhoWatch. She became known to Takano around December 2021, after he began watching her online content. Further investigation suggests Takano frequented a restaurant where Sato had worked starting around summer 2022, presumably in an effort to establish personal contact.

On the morning of the incident, Takano noticed an announcement by Sato indicating she would be livestreaming while walking around areas of Tokyo. Police suspect he traveled specifically to Tokyo from Tochigi Prefecture that same morning to track her movements through her broadcast. Upon finding an opportunity when she was alone, he allegedly confronted and stabbed her repeatedly in the head, neck, and chest, as indicated by surveillance footage. After the brutal attack, Sato was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.