Police in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, have arrested a 54-year-old unemployed man on suspicion of killing a 55-year-old man who lived in the same apartment building.
According to police, Goro Sotoyama stabbed Masayuki Kikuchi, who lived on the same floor of their apartment building, at around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sankei Shimbun reported. Kikuchi suffered multiple knife wounds to his stomach and died in hospital at around 7:30 p.m.
Another tenant called 110 to report the attack which occurred on the stairwell. Police said Sotoyama at first told them there had been trouble between himself and Kikuchi but later denied the charge and said he couldn’t remember what happened.
Police said they are questioning other residents to try and determine the cause of the conflict between the two men.
© Japan Today
12 Comments
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kaimycahl
The truth can only be told one way, but a like can be told many ways. Now that this guy says there was trouble and now he can't remember tells me he is lying!
Police said Sotoyama at first told them there had been trouble between himself and Kikuchi but later denied the charge and said he couldn’t remember what happened.
Hercolobus
Whatever the case might have been, it is better to be cognizant of possible sources of friction and disapproval from our neighbors. While at the same time, being alert in our surroundings.
Gaijinjland
Let me guess. Either the victim smoked constantly on the balcony and that pissed his neighbor off or he kept the tv on full volume all the time. That doesn’t warrant murder but if that was me, I’d probably just complain to the landlord.
purple_depressed_bacon
Guy probably coughed too loud and made him snap. The problem with a lot apartments in Japan is that the walls are absolutely paper-thin, with no soundproofing at all. It's a little terrifying that after a while, you have your neighbor's routine down just by the sounds they make alone.
garypen
Or money. Or garbage. Or cooking odors. Or secondhand smoke. Or perceived disrespect. Or...
WA4TKG
Second time in just a few years murders happening where I live, first time it was Zama
Jack Whittiker
Tara Tan Kitaoka Is there any such thing as a 'wanted' killing?
TARA TAN KITAOKA
Another unwanted killing???.
jalan5
"Sotoyama at first told them there had been trouble between himself and Kikuchi but later denied the charge and said he couldn’t remember what happened."
Look likes Kikuchi was not a mobster ... with problems like that these days get with the chinese mob, may save you life
snowymountainhell
Odd headline: “murder of tenant” OR “…of another tenant” ? - Was the assailant perhaps a superintendent ‘living’ in the same building and tasked with repairs, collecting rent, etc ? - Again, too few ‘details’, at this point so:
snowymountainhell
… or money @Reckless 5:25pm. Remember ‘classic tunes’ such as this one 4/12/2019: https://japantoday.com/category/crime/man-arrested-for-fatally-stabbing-roommate?comment-order=popular