Women’s rights advocates in both Japan and Hungary are angry and taking action after reports from Budapest, where a 43-year-old Japanese was murdered by her husband. The woman reportedly begged the Japanese Embassy for help. However, the Embassy, according to friends and her lawyer, refused.
According to Kyodo, a lawyer and a friend of the woman said she was a victim of domestic violence by her ex-husband, an Irish national. The two divorced in 2023. She consulted the Japanese Embassy, as she wanted to return to Japan – but her husband was holding the passports for their two children.
The Embassy refused to grant the kids temporary passports so they could leave. Instead, staff urged her to “talk it out” with her ex.
The woman was found dead in her burned-out apartment on January 29th.
“She was a victim, she was in no position to ‘talk it out,'” her friend told the press. The Embassy refused to comment on the case to the press.
Kill list
NTV News is also reporting that the ex-husband kept a “kill list” of people who’d crossed him. The list included his own parents, who were trying to help his ex-wife.
Budapest police are also coming under fire for taking no action. The woman reportedly contacted them twice after her husband stole a computer from her and threatened her. The woman’s lawyer says Budapest police told her that the threats “weren’t a crime” and that she was “being ridiculous.”
Hundreds of women and victim’s rights advocates reportedly gathered outside of the woman’s apartment building on the 8th, then moved to protest in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building to protest the failure of police to protect her.
Women’s rights advocates in Japan often accuse police and prosecutors of not taking crimes against women – particularly domestic violence, sexual assault, and molestation – seriously. Apparently, that’s something Japan and Hungary have in common.
A rare apology
For their part, Hungary police have issued a rare apology for their role in this woman’s murder.
“We apologize to all those angered and upset by this incident,” a Hungary Police representative said in the video. “Part of our job is to listen to useful and constructive criticism.”
The apology, say local reporters, is a rare occurrence in Hungary.
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