Police have apprehended a suspect in the stabbing death of a YouTuber during her livestream in Tokyo. The suspect, 42-year-old Kenichi “Kenji” Takano, was arrested in relation to the murder of 22-year-old Airi Sato, as reported by Japan’s Kyodo News.
Sato was livestreaming in Shinjuku Ward when the attack occurred around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11. Viewers of her stream reportedly heard her scream for help just before the feed cut out. Witnesses indicated that the screams lasted for about 15 seconds, and one person claimed to have seen a man in a black hat attacking her.
Takano, who was arrested at the scene, allegedly used the buildings visible in Sato’s livestream to find her location. Authorities believe that this was not just a random act of violence. It has come to light that Sato and Takano knew each other since 2021, and there was a financial dispute between them, with Takano claiming he lent her over 2 million yen (approximately $13,500) that she had not repaid.
According to police, the two had previously spoken to authorities about their disagreements. Takano traveled around 60 miles to Tokyo after Sato announced her livestream. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of two knives. Sato was stabbed multiple times in her neck and chest and unfortunately succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. Takano reportedly told police that he did not mean to kill her.
