Police in Mihama, Mie Prefecture, said that a 14-year-old junior high school girl who had been missing since last month was found in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, on Tuesday morning and has been taken into protective custody.
Police have arrested a 33-year-old man who was found with her on suspicion of kidnapping her, Fuji TV reported.
The suspect, Tomohisa Namikawa, is suspected of talking the student into running away from home and then confining her at his residence. Police said he got to know the girl on an online chat site.
According to police, Namikawa went to Mihama town to pick up the girl as she was on her way to school on the morning of Nov 18, the day she went missing. When she did not return home, her mother notified police.
Police went public with their investigation on Dec 11.
Before her disappearance, the girl had used her smartphone to post messages about Namikawa, but she had not used her smartphone since Nov 17. Her online references to Namikawa led police to the suspect.
Namikawa lived with his 4-year-old son, police said.
© Japan Today
14 Comments
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shonanbb
Where was his wife?
zones2surf
For once, a story with a happy ending. Very glad that she was found alive. I won't say unharmed. But at least she is alive. And able to be at home for the holidays.
As for the suspect, what a horrible man. To not only do this to this girl, but to now jeopardise the future well-being of his 4 year old son. What becomes of that poor boy?
Disillusioned
So many questions! Her parents need to be investigated too. What would make a 14 y/o girl runaway? However, regardless of the questions, there is one thing for certain, this guy is a creep and should be locked up. I feel sorry for his son though.
Jason Santana
I think this girl was just naive. She probably didn't know any better. Unfortunately most younger people in Japan are pretty clueless. It seems as if there's not as much emphasis but on these kinds of issues as they are in the U.S. We do hear about all the bad things that happen through the tv or internet on a regular basis.
stormcrow
"Before her disappearance, the girl had used her smartphone to post messages about Namikawa, . . . "
Where is Sherlock Holmes when you need him?
TheGodfather
Well done to the girl for reporting it!!
Wc626
14? This idiot, Namikawa, should've know she was jail bait. Then again, news like this doesn't surprise me.
nishinariku
It took the police one month to find her! They had a name to look for!
Aaron Lloyd Brummett
The poor girl! Prayers for both her and her family.
DaDude
Poor excuse for a father, poor excuse for a human being
lostrune2
He wanted a mother/babysitter for his 4-yr-od son?
sensei258
He's probably a rapist and a pedophile, even if she consented. Unless of course you think they were together for a month and only talked. But nothing will be mentioned about that topic, because she's the "victim". Wouldn't want to portray her as a person with questionable virtue.
sensei258
Isn't sex with a 14 year old considered rape, even if she started it? Or did they just talk and watch TV for a month?
lostrune2
It's only illegal if she didn't like it. Learned it from manga.