Suspect admits to stabbing pop idol after his gift, advances rejected

Ceewan · May 22, 2016

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A man under arrest for stabbing a woman repeatedly has told police that the attack in western Tokyo was sparked when the victim rejected a gift from him, investigative sources said Sunday.

Tomohiro Iwazaki, a 27-year-old man, stabbed Mayu Tomita, a 20-year-old college student, more than 20 times including in the neck, chest, arms and back, shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday in Koganei. The assault came shortly before Tomita was due to take the stage to perform with other women in an idol event.

Iwazaki, who was arrested at the site, told police, "I sent a gift (to Tomita) but it was returned. I asked her why but she gave an evasive answer, so I became mad and stabbed her numerous times."

Iwazaki also told the police that he intended to kill her and carried a knife for that purpose, indicating it was a premeditated assault.

Tomita has been appearing in pop idol shows and television programs for children, and the police suspect Iwazaki is a fan of hers.

According to the police, the suspect intercepted Tomita in hopes of talking to her at JR Musashi-Koganei Station before the assault occurred.

Security camera footage shows a man appearing to be Iwazaki following Tomita from the station to the site of the crime.

Tomita, who remains in hospital in a critical condition, had earlier visited a police station near her home in Musashino seeking advice after Iwazaki had harassed her online via social networking sites such as twitter. She mentioned Iwazaki by name when speaking to police.

Learning from Tomita on Thursday that she planned to appear at an idol event on Saturday, officers at the Musashino police station asked the police in Koganei to respond if they receive an emergency call on the matter.

The police will now scrutinize the perpetrator's messages to confirm his link with the attack while also assessing whether the police handled the incident appropriately.

CoolKevin · May 23, 2016

best wishes for Mayu Tomita's full recovery, and hope she will not carry any mental scars

kharo88 · May 23, 2016

Wow, she was stabbed more than 20 times including in the neck and she's still alive? That's a miracle, if you ask me!

"Learning from Tomita on Thursday that she planned to appear at an idol event on Saturday, officers at the Musashino police station asked the police in Koganei to respond if they receive an emergency call on the matter."

Was that the best that they could do? I'm not familiar with how things are in Japan, is there no restraining order? And don't idols usually have dedicated security with them? It seems like she knew that the guy was crazy, so I can't help but feel that this could have been prevented somehow.

Ceewan · May 24, 2016

Suspect in stabbing of pop idol angered by Twitter block: sources

Police believe the suspect in the stabbing of a pop idol on May 21 was angered by being blocked on Twitter, it has been learned from investigative sources.

Pop idol and university student Mayu Tomita, 20, is unconscious and in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times. Tomohiro Iwazaki, 27, has been arrested on suspicion of the attack.

Iwazaki has reportedly told investigators at Koganei Police Station, "In order to meet Tomita I took the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo. I waited in ambush for two to three hours near JR Musashi-Koganei Station (near the site of the stabbing)."

Regarding a switchblade knife with an eight-centimeter blade that was found at the scene, Iwazaki told police he "bought it on the internet." Investigators believe the attack was planned.

On May 23, police searched Iwazaki's apartment in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. They confiscated a women's watch. Iwazaki has testified, "A watch (I sent as a present to Tomita) was sent back to me." Police will proceed to check whether the confiscated watch is the same as the one Iwazaki sent and had returned to him.

On Jan. 18, Tomita's Twitter account received a message from someone believed to be Iwazaki reading, "Do you know why I sent you a watch? Use it well." On April 28, there was another message reading, "A package arrived from the post office, sender unknown. A watch and three books were inside ... Really, an unpleasant girl." The next day, on a blog believed to belong to Iwazaki was a message reading, "I was blocked on Twitter."

On May 23, Koganei Police Station sent Tomita to prosecutors on suspicion of attempted murder and violating the Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Such Weapons. When he was being sent to prosecutors, Iwazaki reportedly asked a police officer whether Tomita had died.

Koganei Police Station, which had initially announcing Iwazaki's address and occupation as "unknown," have now announced them as "Ukyo Ward, Kyoto" and "company employee."

CoolKevin · May 24, 2016

so sad to hear she is still unconscious, I have never believed in the power of thought, but if it does exist, I am sending them to you as a speedy recovery

looking forward to some good news

just hope he goes to prison for a long time, I know nothing of how things are there

Ceewan · May 24, 2016

Twenty stab wounds is a lot, even from a 3 inch blade. Critical condition is pretty much a miracle of modern medicine. Death is a distinct possibility from that kind of trauma to the body alone. The fact that she is even still alive is the most hopeful news there can be I think.

As far as the perp goes I would think he is bound for a long term straightjacket in his own private performance of One Flew Over the Cuckoos' Nest.

Ceewan · May 25, 2016

Stabbed Japanese pop idol called police for help during attack

TOKYO —

A young woman who was stabbed numerous times by a fan just before she was scheduled to make an appearance on a pop idol show in Tokyo last weekend called police for help in the middle of the assault, investigative sources said Wednesday.

“Help me,” Mayu Tomita, a 20-year-old college student, screamed during an emergency call to police at 5:05 p.m. Saturday, around 100 seconds before a witness called the police to report that a man was stabbing a woman in the neck. Tomita remains in a critical condition.

The incident took place near the entrance of the building where Tomita was scheduled to appear at an idol event in Koganei, western Tokyo. Tomita had earlier reported to the police that she was being harassed on social media by Tomohiro Iwazaki, who was arrested at the scene. The police said he has admitted to stabbing her.

The police previously had registered her name, address and telephone number, as well as the possibility that Iwazaki, 27, may attend the event and cause trouble.

After her emergency call, the Metropolitan Police Department dispatched police officers to her residence rather than the venue as the operator failed to confirm her location, the sources said.

The police have not revealed that they received an emergency call from the victim, previously saying a witness had reported the attack.

The police are planning by the end of next month to revise their system to enable the location of an emergency caller to appear automatically on an operator’s screen if the caller is on a watch list, the sources said.

The Tokyo police plan to upgrade the system eventually to make the same functionality available for all emergency phone calls, they added.

Tomita did not respond to the operator during the emergency call although the line remained connected for about 10 minutes, the sources said, adding it is believed she dropped her mobile phone during the attack.

Officers from a police station near the scene arrived within six minutes of receiving the call from the witness and arrested Iwazaki, who has told the police he was angry and wanted to kill Tomita because she had returned a gift he sent her.

Shit. In my neighboorhood cops would be here in under 2 minutes (There is a police station about 3 miles away). Six minutes.....thats' fucked up. I know Tokyo is huge and all but still.....that is fucked up. Probably as good as New York City though but that place is a cesspool.

Ceewan · May 25, 2016

Honestly, not all news sites are created equally. Here is a more clarified report:

Police failed to check stabbed pop idol's location when she called for help

A pop idol who was stabbed multiple times on May 21 called police when she was attacked, but police failed to check the location information from her cell phone and mistakenly ordered officers to go to her home instead, it has been learned.

Tomohiro Iwazaki, 27, of Kyoto's Ukyo Ward has been arrested and referred to prosecutors on suspicion of attempted murder over the stabbing of 20-year-old university student and pop idol Mayu Tomita in the suburban Tokyo city of Koganei. On May 25, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) released a timeline of events in the case.

According to the MPD, on May 6, an acquaintance of Tomita phoned Musashino Police Station, saying that the victim needed to consult with police about one of her fans. On May 9, Tomita along with her acquaintance visited the police station. She gave copies to police of Twitter and blog messages believed to have been written by Iwazaki and asked them to make him stop. On May 19, an officer from the police station called Tomita and learned that she was scheduled to give a live performance in Koganei on May 21 from 7 p.m. During this call police also advised her about calling authorities.

On May 20, police registered Tomita's phone number in a system for immediate police response on receiving a call for help. Musashino Police Station asked Koganei Police Station, which covers the area that includes where Tomita was to give her performance, to respond if there was a call from her.

On May 21, Iwazaki is thought to have waited for Tomita at a plaza by JR Musashi-Koganei Station, and attacked her a little past 5 p.m. At 5:05 p.m., Tomita called police, yelling "Help," and screaming but not responding to the police operator.

At the MPD's call center, Tomita's name and home address in the Tokyo suburban city of Musashino were displayed. However, an officer who was handling the call did not check the location data from Tomita's cell phone and instructed Musashino Police Station to send officers to Tomita's home.

A minute and 45 seconds after Tomita called the emergency number, a witness called police at 5:06 p.m., saying that "a man is stabbing a woman in the neck." At 5:09 p.m. the police call center instructed Koganei Police Station to send officers to the site, and they arrived three minutes later.

Police's handling of Tomita's call may have delayed officers' arrival at the site where she was stabbed. The MPD acknowledged errors, saying that the location information (of Tomita's phone) should have been checked.

Ceewan · May 27, 2016

Man says he attacked idol singer because she started making phone call

TOKYO —

A man suspected of stabbing a young woman numerous times before she was scheduled to appear on a pop idol show in Tokyo last weekend has told investigators he attacked her because she began making a phone call, investigators said Thursday.

The suspect’s accounts match the circumstances surrounding the assault given that the victim, 20-year-old Mayu Tomita, stopped responding to an emergency call operator after she said, “Help me,” which was followed by the sound of a scream.

The police believe Tomita was attacked at about the same time she placed an emergency call to them.

The suspect, 27-year-old Tomohiro Iwazaki, has told investigators he initially asked Tomita about gifts she had returned to him, but she gave a vague answer and began making a call on her smartphone while ignoring him, according to investigators.

The attack occurred on Saturday near the building where Tomita was scheduled to appear at an idol event in Koganei in western Tokyo. Police officers arrived at the scene soon after she and someone who witnessed her being attacked made emergency calls.

Iwazaki was arrested at the scene. The police are investigating the case on suspicion of attempted murder. He is believed to have stalked her for several months.

After being stabbed more than 20 times, Tomita remained in critical condition as of Thursday.

I mainly just shared this to finish apinting a clear picture as to what happened and to keep those concerned updated on he condition. If it improves and I hear of it I will add it to the thread. My prayers go out to her.

Ceewan · Jun 1, 2016

Funny, I was reminded of Monica Seles almost immediately. Lucky girl got off easy as her assailant went after her with a 9 inch blade (over 22 centimeters) but it pretty much not only ruined her career and her confidence but it showed that the West Germany legal system was....."confused" isperhaps the best choice of words. The assailant got off with probation and Monica Seles vowed to never step foot in Germany again.

Mayu Tomita stalker rumored as star in porn flick

TOKYO (TR) – First, the male suspect accused in the stabbing of Mayu Tomita was thought to be a fan. Then, it turned out he had sent her unwanted gifts. Next, his Twitter account was found to be flooded with obsessive rants about the star that went back months.

Now, speculation is swirling among netizens and a number of tabloids, including Yukan Fuji (May 30), that he might have starred in an adult video (AV) production featuring starlet Yui Hatano.

Tomohiro Iwazaki, whose attack left Tomita in critical condition, is believed to have appeared in a Moodyz production from July of 2014 titled “Tour Guide Yui Hatano Takes Real Amateurs on a Virgin Graduation Bus Tour.”

The AV in question takes six purportedly amateur men, including one believed to be Iwazaki, on a bus tour where they stay in a ryokan hotel.

A writer at Workers Magazine pondered how the suspect ended up in an AV, but noted that production company Moodyz regularly fields applications from people who want to take part in such films.

The writer also pointed out that the buzz online was that Iwazaki was the first actor in the film to perform with Hatano, which spurred comments like “Why wasn’t he satisfied by that point? There was no need for him to reach out to Mayu Tomita.”

The Workers Magazine writer goes on to say that Iwazaki made a “disturbing” post recently on his blog saying that the “kind of women who appear in AV should all commit suicide” because of his discovery that Ai Hashimoto, a model he was infatuated with at the time, was once addicted to romantic pornography.

“Why would a man who showed up in an AV make a post like that?” pondered the blog’s author, raising the possibility that Iwazaki developed negative feelings toward Yui Hatano after taking part in the AV.

The author wondered if Iwazaki became disillusioned after Hatano revealed her sexual side to him, which she then shared with the other participants while he watched.

Hatano was unharmed, but Tomita suffered over 30 stab wounds. The author believes the key difference here could be the fact that Hatano was an AV starlet protected by her managers under a sizable company, whereas Tomita was just an indie singer-songwriter.

“No one was there to protect her,” the Workers Magazine writer said.

Iwazaki was identified in a group photo taken by one of the participants in the Hatano title through such factors as the position of his mole and the shape of his face, according to Afternoon News, which went on to say that “this must mean amateurs really are being used [in AV].”

As of Sunday, when speculation began on Iwazaki’s brief career in porn, “Tour Guide” was the top-selling title on DMM.R18’s ranking list. By Monday night, however, it had been taken down. The title has also been taken down from the Moodyz site.

Owners of the DVD version are selling the discs at premium prices on Japan’s Amazon site as of Monday night, going for as high as 19,650 yen. One potential buyer said they wondered if “it was worth it, because it seems to feature the suspect who stabbed an idol.”

mealtimeshadow · Jun 3, 2016

The industry should consider compulsory martial arts training for self-defense, when they contract idols; a la Jackie Chan/Sammo Hung/Yuen Biao. It can be a subset of their intensive dance choreography training. Heavens only know they need it.

Ceewan · Jun 4, 2016

Kanagawa police appoint Kamen Joshi idol to ‘Molester Eradication’ post

Anna Tachibana (center)

YOKOHAMA (TR) – A member of all-girl idol group Kamen Joshi (Masked Girls) was named as “Molester Eradication Ambassador” by Kanagawa Prefectural Police at a ceremony here on Wednesday to launch an anti-molestation campaign, Sports Hochi reports (June 1).

Anna Tachibana, 24, a member of Kamen Joshi’s Alice No. 10 group, said at the ceremony held at JR Sakuragicho Station, Yokohama, that she would promote the anti-chikan campaign “until the day molestation is no more.”

“Molestation is a dirty, unforgivable crime. Please speak out whenever you feel something is off on trains or at train stations,” Tachibana said. “Let’s eradicate perverts by putting our voices together and acting on the strength of our bonds.”

Tachibana said she was also a victim of molestation. She tried to grab the criminal’s arm, but he managed to slip away.

“I was wearing a one-piece dress, so maybe if I was wearing pants and I was prepared,” Tachibana said as her words trailed off. “If this happens again next time, I want to catch them!”

Nippon News Network (June 1) said the idol star urged the public to help flag perverts as she gave out anti-molester stickers, which she said will leave an “X” mark when pressed against the skin of perpetrators.

Tachibana suffered a bitter experience when a fan sent her death threats in 2014. The suspect was arrested.

“[The death threat was] was terrifying, but it was resolved thanks to the police,” Tachibana said. “Now I’m glad that I can do my part.”

“From the bottom of my heart, I want Japan to be a country where women can feel safe,” Tachibana said.

Tachibana told Nikkan Sports (June 1) that she was wishing for a speedy recovery for Mayu Tomita, an idol who remains hospitalized in critical condition after a male fan stalker stabbed her over 30 times in May.

“As idols, we look forward to interacting with our fans and it’s the same for them, too,” Tachibana said. “It would be a shame if [incidents like the Tomita stabbing] led to less chances to meet with fans.”

Ceewan · Jun 17, 2016

Stabbing Victim Mayu Tomita Regains Consciousness

Mayu Tomita has regain consciousness after being in a comatose state for the past 17 days.

The idol was rushed to the hospital on May 21 after she was stabbed more than 20 times by 27-year-old self-proclaimed fan Tomohiro Iwazaki. She regained consciousness on the evening of June 7.

According to reports, a cut to the singer’s neck was deep, but no fatal injuries to her heart or other vital organs were made.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is waiting on permission from Tomita’s doctors to interview the idol about the assault.

Iwazaki is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is mentally sound enough to be held criminally liable for his actions.

Apparently there is no brain damage or major damage to her internal organs but there is the possibility of reduced functions of parts of her body. There has been no official release yet that I found and I do not read Japanese but that is what was in the rumor mill at the otaku forums.

kharo88 · Jun 17, 2016

Thanks for the update! Keep it up!

Ceewan · Jun 24, 2016

Imwho? said:
Even though she survived her career proboly did not.

Really hard to say but I understand the basis for your speculation. Either her physical scars or mental scars from the attack are likely to hinder her. Yet any publicity is good publicity (as the saying goes) and she could also use this to relaunch her career. All of the wounds are reportedly to her neck and chest so as long as she can still sing there is still hope for her chances, if that is what she wants. I haven't heard anything new about her since she woke up and she hasn't been on twitter (I know that sounds strange but it seems to be what people do nowadays).

Send her encouragement:

https://twitter.com/tomitamayu

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Suspect admits to stabbing pop idol after his gift, advances rejected

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