Police investigate the site of a fatal stabbing attack against a livestreamer in the Takadanobaba district of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward on March 11. (Kotaro Ebara)

Photo/Illutration Police investigate the site of a fatal stabbing attack in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward on March 11. (Kotaro Ebara)

A calm man who initially appeared to be a good Samaritan is now the suspect in a fatal stabbing attack against a woman while she was livestreaming in Tokyo.

Airi Sato, 22, who lived in Tama, western Tokyo, was confirmed dead at a hospital on March 11 after being stabbed in the neck and stomach with a knife.

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a man at the crime scene in the Takadanobaba district of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward after an emergency call was made at 9:55 a.m.

The suspect, who lives in Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture, was in possession of survival knives.

He was initially accused of attempted murder but will likely be arrested on suspicion of murder.

The MPD said it will investigate whether the man, whose occupation is unknown, is mentally competent to be held criminally responsible.

Sato made money through her videos distributed on livestreaming platforms.

Police quoted the suspect as saying: “I got to know the woman through her video streaming, and I started meeting her three years ago by visiting the restaurant where she worked.”

He also reportedly said: “I had money troubles with her. I saw a notice about her livestreaming schedule and came to Tokyo on the morning of that day.

“Then, I identified her location by watching the live video she was streaming.”

MAN WAS CALM

The site of the attack was about 350 meters southwest of JR Takadanobaba Station.

A 53-year-old construction company employee who was working on the second floor of a building about 50 meters from the site said he heard a woman screaming outside before 10 a.m.

The screams continued for several tens of seconds, he said.

He said he rushed to a window and saw a woman in a gray sweatshirt lying on her back. A man wearing a dark coat was looking at her from above.

“The man appeared to be talking to her. He looked very calm, so I thought he was helping her,” the construction company employee said.

He said he saw a passer-by make a phone call, and police arrived about five minutes later and began questioning the calm man.

The employee said a school is located near the site, but the area is relatively quiet except during commuting times.

“I can’t believe such an incident happened near me,” the man said. “The woman’s screams are stuck in my head.”

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