Japan Today
crime

Woman's corpse discovered under floor in Tokyo house

15 Comments

Police in Tokyo said Sunday that the corpse of a 62-year-old woman, whose arms and legs were tied, was discovered underneath the floorboards of her home in Suginami Ward.

The woman, who lived alone, is estimated to have died about three months ago, police said. Fuji TV reported that at around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, the body of Mieko Ueda was found beneath the floorboards in the kitchen of her two-story home. Her face and limbs were bound by adhesive tape and the left side of her chest had a knife wound, police said.

Ueda had been missing since the beginning of January. On Sunday, her sister and brother-in-law -- concerned that they had not heard from her for sometime -- came over for a visit but the door and windows were locked. They contacted police who came over and found Ueda's body under the floorboards.

A neighbor said, “Ms Ueda was a somber and quiet individual. However, recently, the lights in her home had not been turned on. I found it strange because it was pitch black at night.”

© Japan Today

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.

15 Comments
Login to comment

Poor woman. It must have been a frightening end. one can only hope that her death was quick.

The only good thing about these terrible stories - bodies left uncovered for so long, whether after a violent, lingering or sudden death - is that at least the deceased doesn't know how little they are missed.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Well, I didn't really want to sleep tonight, anyway!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

A neighbor said, “Ms Ueda was a somber and quiet individual. However, recently, the lights in her home had not been turned on. I found it strange because it was pitch black at night.”

And yet, she did nothing about it. Japan, the land of 130 million strangers.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

Hmmmmm..... So lights don't go on next door for a bit and you think it is appropriate to go over and - even if that neighbor is not your friend or acquaintance - glad I don't live next door to you.e

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Ueda had been missing since the beginning of January.

isn't the first place you check when someone is missing is their house?!?!?! and it took her sister three months to pop over for a visit? what the...

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

and it took her sister three months to pop over for a visit?

Some families are closer than others. Heck, I know plenty of people that haven't met siblings in years.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

What a terrible thing. May she rest in peace, and may the culprit find an equally terrible end.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

and it took her sister three months to pop over for a visit? what the...

It's very common here sadly. Never understood why.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"@Disillusioned "A neighbor said, “Ms Ueda was a somber and quiet individual. However, recently, the lights in her home had not been turned on. I found it strange because it was pitch black at night.”

And yet, she did nothing about it. Japan, the land of 130 million strangers."

and its like that, and that's the way it is, they know its like that the way j-land is but if a gaijin was involved..its on the j-wire like a sweepstakes..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Disillusioned "A neighbor said, “Ms Ueda was a somber and quiet individual. However, recently, the lights in her home had not been turned on. I found it strange because it was pitch black at night.” "And yet, she did nothing about it. Japan, the land of 130 million strangers."

yup..

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Fred Wallace. "and it took her sister three months to pop over for a visit? what the...It's very common here sadly. Never understood why." probably the lack of goldenseal.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japanese also respect the privacy of others.

There's privacy and there's just not caring very much. Three months without seeing the lights on at night is caring enough to notice but not caring enough to do anything about it.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Some posters are so judgmental, you are all perfect no doubt.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites