Police have officially arrested the man found at the scene of a murder in a snack bar in Nishitokyo. As we reported earlier, the man is the ex-husband of the murdered owner and has a long history of violence against her. The case raises further questions about how police treat domestic violence cases in Japan.
Police found 37-year-old Tokuyama Tomomi dead in the snack bar she owned, Snack Kasumi in Nishitokyo, on March 25th. They also found her ex-husband, 41-year-old Korean national Kan Unchol (sic), unconscious next to her and took him to a nearby hospital.
NHK reports that, based on security cameras and other evidence, Kan entered the business at 9pm alone and locked the door from the inside before assaulting Tokuyama. He then apparently attempted suicide. TBS News Dig adds that footage shows a hooded Kan entering the business 50 minutes after Tokuyama centered.
Initial news reports detailed a history of violence by Kan against Tokuyama. Last year, he reportedly attempted to drive his car down the stairwell to Kasumi’s location on a basement floor. When that failed, he reportedly jumped out, ran into the bar, and smashed a bottle over Tokuyama’s head.
NHK says that Kan was convicted of this crime. However, part of his sentence was suspended. He had just been released from jail.
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Kan reportedly denied he had any involvement in the murder. Beyond this denial, he has refused to talk to the police.
The case raises questions about ensuring the safety of women from violent partners or ex-partners. It comes on the heels of a tragedy in Hungary where a Japanese woman was murdered by her ex-husband. The woman had asked the Japanese Embassy to make new passports for her kids so she could flee the country, but the Embassy refused.
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