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A 54-year-old man died after stabbing himself in the chest on a street in Higashi-osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, on Monday morning. Prior to the incident, the man had chased his wife along a street, threatening her with a kitchen knife.
The drama started at around 5 a.m. on Monday. Sankei Shimbun reported that Kawachi police station received a silent emergency phone call. Officers recognized the phone number as belonging female domestic violence victim and two law enforcement officials rushed to her residence in Higashi-osaka City. When they arrived in the vicinity, they saw the woman's husband, Hiroyuki Katayama, an unemployed man from Tochigi City, wielding a knife and chasing a woman along a street.
Police put the woman in their patrol car and a 27-year-old officer aimed his gun at Katayama and ordered him to drop the knife. Neighbors who heard the commotion and witnessed the incident said Katayama stabbed himself in the chest and neck. He was taken to a hospital but died shortly after. His wife was not injured, police said.
In February of this year, Katayama’s wife had returned to her parents' home in Higashi-osaka after suffering domestic violence at the hands of her husband.
© Japan Today
19 Comments
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Maria
I read recently that the majority of murders of domestic partners take place after the abused partner has left the abuser. At least he didn't succeed, but not through lack of trying. Not only did he make her life with him a misery, he tried to make her life without him a crappy one too, as there are those who will blame her for his death.
Not her fault, all his fault, it is always the abuser's fault, remember that.
Kiwi in Okinawa
Does this class as a Darwin Award? Traumatic for the lady, but thankfully the abuse will finally end for her.
viking68
Wow, disturbing story (because of the man), but I was encouraged to hear the police took the situation seriously and helped. I just worry that they don't do that enough or not quickly enough.
Agree, not the bused person's fault in any way shape or form.
Glad she is safe.
Daniel Naumoff
The abuse can become a mutual fault if the abused keeps on enduring the mindless violence instead of standing up to it. This is not medieval times, take it up to the court, the officials or even the neighbourhood collective.
Mocheake
Killed (pardon the pun) two birds with one stone. No more abuser so definitely no more abuse from him.
Maria
@Daniel Naumoff - how did you deal with the domestic abuse you suffered? Were you believed, and did you get emotional and practical help easily?
Kaerimashita
He was obviously never taught about running with scissors (or knives).
Dango bong
unemployed wife-beater, what a great dude
Disillusioned
So, did this nutter receive any counselling the first time he was busted for domestic violence? Of course he didn't! He was just warned to stay away from her and case closed. Well, I guess the case is permanently closed now. Gladly, he didn't get ahold of her first.
Kestrel
Good riddence.
clamenza
alls well that ends well
Goodlucktoyou
so after the crime
Cogito Ergo Sum
When it comes to blind violence, sure can't beat them.
DaDude
Higashi Osaka is one of the roughest towns in Japan yet the police there interrogate me for a minor traffic violation. Go figure!
FizzBit
A word of advice, wait until someone does this, because in this situation, I don't see ANYONE here doing that, and I think it's wrong to imply it as well.
Kobe White Bar Owner
Glad she got away and he took himself away, before hurting her or anyone else. Pride come before the fall.
Andy
Instant Karma.
Maria
@Fizzbit - Why on earth would you imagine I was talking about anonymous commenters here on JT? I meant those around the woman using words that will affect her deeply. In the real world, you know?
She stayed with him for a long time, out of love, out of deep fear, out of entrapment - for a lot of victims of domestic abuse, the lack of money and other practical support when trying to get away, keep safe, and start a new life, is a massive obstacle.
The fact that he stabbed himself strongly suggests to me that he had previously threatened to kill himself as well as her, if she left him, and that double-threat would have added to her feeling unable to leave him.
We are in Japan, with its culture of 'Put up and shut up' and 'Keep it in the family', where govt. steps to protect victims of domestic violence were only taken in this century, and where until recent decades, a woman who ran away from her abusive husband would be told to go back to him once he apologised to her and her family.
Yes, there are those who will blame her. I hope she tells them to shut the hell up.
Toasted Heretic
Wife beaters deserve demonisation but why demonise someone because they're unemployed?
As usual, the full story and what drove him to such ugliness is not supplied. Do you think his not having a job and therefore being stigmatised by unenlightened people may have led to self loathing and this awful behaviour?
Not that it excuses the behaviour of course.