Tokyo Ikebukuro homicide case | Suspect believed to be the female victim's ex-boyfriend, who was previously arrested for stalking and harassment multiple times

Last night, a knife attack occurred at the well-known shopping center Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan, where a man entered a Pokémon specialty store, stabbed a female employee in her 20s, and then committed suicide. Both were confirmed dead after being taken to the hospital.

According to Kyodo News, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department provided further details today, identifying the suspect as 26-year-old Hirokawa Daiki, and the female victim as 21-year-old part-time employee Harukawa Moe. The two had previously been in a romantic relationship, and the suspect had been arrested in the past for violating the Anti-Stalking Law.

The female victim contacted the police 9 times since last Christmas.

Reports stated that on December 25 of last year, Harukawa sought help from the Hachioji Police Station regarding being stalked by the suspect. The suspect was arrested near Harukawa’s residence that day. On January 8 of this year, he was additionally charged with violating the Firearm and Sword Law, and on January 15, he was arrested again for allegedly secretly filming Harukawa. On the 29th, the police issued a restraining order against the suspect, who was released the next day after being simply prosecuted and required to pay a fine of 800,000 yen.

At the suggestion of the police department, Harukawa temporarily stayed at a relative’s house from January 5 to February 6, before returning to her apartment. Including the initial report, the police contacted Harukawa a total of 9 times through phone and other means by March 12, but reportedly found no unusual behavior from the suspect after his release. The police department’s officials stated that they had taken the most appropriate measures.

The incident occurred around 7:15 PM last night, with surveillance footage showing the suspect entering the store and going directly to the counter, where he stabbed Harukawa in the neck and other areas before stabbing himself in the neck as well. Both fell to the floor behind the counter. When taken to the hospital, both were already unconscious and were later confirmed dead. The police department is investigating the case on suspicion of murder and further examining the circumstances of the incident.