Man apprehended over fatal stabbing in Ikebukuro ‘didn't care' if victim died
Just before noon on July 1, a male employee at the Adire Legal Professional Corporation, located on the 31st floor, alerted emergency services. 'A male staff member has been stabbed,' the caller said.
Authorities arriving at the scene, found the victim — later identified as 36-year-old Daiki Yoshino — collapsed with stab wounds to the throat and neck. He later confirmed dead at a hospital, reports Fuji News Network (July 1).
Shortly thereafter, Reito Watanabe, a 50-year-old resident of Shinjuku Ward, appeared at a police box near Ikebukuro Station's East Exit. He then confessing to stabbing the man with a kitchen knife. Police then arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder.
At the time, he was in possession of bloodstained folding knife with a 9-centimeter-long blade. Two additional knives were found in his backpack.
He told police, 'I don't remember stabbing him, but before I knew it I had done it.'
Police sent Watanabe to prosecutors on suspicion of murder and violating of the Swords and Firearms Control Law on July 3. Reito Watanabe was arrested for murder on July 1 (X) Without saying a word
According to police, Watanabe stabbed Yoshino from behind while he was seated without saying a word. The suspect then fled on foot toward the station. The East Exit of Ikebukuro Station is located about 500 meters from the scene.
In early June, Watanabe told an acquaintance that he was going to stab someone and go to prison, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (July 3). His father, who had been contacted, then consulted the police.
Police officers later visited the suspect's home along with his parents, but he was not there. After confirming that there were no dangerous objects in the residence, they asked that his parents to talk to him and contact the police at a later date, reports NHK (July 2).
Police believe that Watanabe had a grudge again Yoshino. According to investigators, Watanabe explained that he had purchased at least one of the knives about a month ago and had been carrying it around with him. He said, 'I felt like [Yoshino] was making fun of me, and I was growing resentful. I stabbed him, thinking that I didn't care if I died.' Reito Watanabe allegedly stabbed Daiki Yoshino with a knife on July 1 (X) Overpaid interest on loans
The incident took place at the headquarters of the Adire Legal Professional Corporation, which has 235 lawyers at its 65 offices nationwide. The firm handles lawsuits connected to the return of overpaid interest on loans.
In 2017, the Tokyo Bar Association suspended the firm from business operations for two months for an advertising a campaign that falsely stated that initial fees would be waived for overpayment claims.
After the stabbing incident, the law firm commented, 'We sincerely pray for the repose of our deceased employee. We will fully cooperate with the investigation and promptly report the facts as they become clear.'
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