Suspect in Tokyo law firm stabbing held grudge against victim, police say
The attack occurred around 11:50 a.m. at the Adire law office at Sunshine 60, a high-rise in the Sunshine City commercial complex in the Ikebukuro area of Tokyo's Toshima Ward.
Reito Watanabe is alleged to have approached Daiki Yoshino, a coworker from a different department, from behind while he was seated at his desk and stabbed him multiple times in the neck with a 9-centimeter folding knife.
Watanabe then fled the scene, returned briefly to retrieve his office ID badge, and fled again. He turned himself in at a nearby police box outside Ikebukuro Station shortly after noon while still carrying the alleged murder weapon.
NHK reported that Watanabe was also carrying two additional knives in his backpack, and that he had brought the folding knife from his home.
Yoshino was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
'I stabbed him,' Watanabe reportedly told officers. 'I don't remember it clearly, but when I came to, I had stabbed him.'
During questioning, Watanabe reportedly said, 'I had held a grudge against him for a long time due to unpleasant experiences at work. I had reached my limit. I wanted to make him feel pain.'
Police arrested Watanabe on suspicion of attempted murder, and plan to upgrade the charge to murder as their investigation continues.
Adire specializes in services such as debt restructuring and overpayment claims against financial institutions. It has 65 branches nationwide and employs more than 235 lawyers.
The firm expressed its regret over the incident in a statement on its official website.
'This incident has resulted in the tragic loss of a precious life. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and offer our deepest sympathies,' the statement read.
'We are prioritizing the emotional well-being of the employees who witnessed the incident, as well as all our staff. We take this matter very seriously and are cooperating fully with the police investigation.'
A woman working on the same floor of the building as the law firm told reporters she was shaken by the violence.
'I heard in the hallway that something had happened and checked the news online. It's terrifying,' she said, her voice trembling.
Sunshine City is a sprawling complex located near Ikebukuro Station. It is made up of five buildings that consist of offices, hotels, a planetarium, an aquarium and a large shopping center. It attracts over 30 million visitors annually.
Information from Jiji added
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