Why Did Hokkaido Police Party with a Murder Suspect?
A teenage girl in Hokkaido is dead because she took someone’s picture. And now it’s emerging that local cops knew the suspect a little too well.
By Jay Andrew Allen
There have been several murder cases recently out of Japan’s island of Hokkaido that have rattled the public. One was the still-unfolding story of Tamura Runa in Sapporo, who murdered her lover and made her parents help. The other is the murder of 17-year-old high school student Murayama Runa at the hands of 21-year-old Uchida Riko in Asahikawa.
Like the Tamura case, Uchida’s is still pending trial. However, a shocking story this week revealed that some police officers in Asahikawa knew Uchida well before her arrest. Some outlets in Japan say this twist reflects years-long issues with a police organization hellbent on covering up its officers’ transgressions.
Note: This story deals with graphic subject matter, including abuse and murder.
Murayama Runa goes missing
Murayama Runa (村山月) was born in the town of Habocho. Her father was a well-known fisherman in the area, which is renowned…
