GSDF member accused in stabbing of woman in Akasaka

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a Ground Self-Defense Force staff member over the alleged stabbing of a woman inside a building in Minato Ward earlier this month, reports Jiji Press (Nov. 22).

At around 10:30 a.m. on November 16, Yoichiro Otsu, 43, allegedly stabbed the woman, aged in her 40s, in the left side and left hand on the basement floor of the building in Akasaka.

The woman suffered serious injuries, police said previously.

Upon his arrest on suspicion of attempted murder on Saturday, Otsu, who lives in Nerima Ward, denies the charges, saying, “I didn’t do it.”

Yoichiro Otsu (X)“I know the woman”

The victim is a performer. She plays a concert at the same venue about once a year. Prior to the incident, she was waiting in front of the venue at the bottom of the stairs.

During voluntary questioning prior to his arrest, the suspect stated, “I know the woman, but we have had no trouble.” Police are now seeking the motive for the crime.

According to the department and the GSDF, the suspect is a corporal second class assigned to Camp Asaka in Nerima. Regarding the day of the incident, he said, “I was off work, but I was at work from morning until around noon and then went home.”

Cycled 20 kilometers

An examination of security camera footage shows that the suspect left the camp at around 6:30 a.m. on the day of the incident. He then cycled a distance of about 20 kilometers to the crime scene. He returned to the camp just after noon. A bicycle was seized from the suspect’s home.

Security camera footage from around the crime scene also shows him wandering the area from around 8 a.m. on the day of the crime, spying on people entering and leaving the building. It has also been determined that he entered the building as if following the victim immediately after she went down to the basement. He then fled approximately 30 seconds later.

Prior to the incident, the suspect changed into shoes he had brought with him and put on shoe covers and gloves. He later changed his jacket and shoes during his escape, leading police to believe that the crime was carefully planned.

Naoyuki Ambo, commander of the 1st Engineer Battalion at Camp Asaka, said: “We pray for the victim’s recovery, and will fully cooperate with the police investigation and take strict action based on the facts.”