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| He Spent ¥60 Million Chasing Love — Then Killed Her: Tokyo Court Sentences 57-Year-Old to 16 Years |
A 57-year-old man has been handed a 16-year prison sentence for the murder of a 24-year-old former underground idol in a Tokyo hotel, following what prosecutors described as a “complete collapse of reason and restraint.”
The chilling case — which unfolded in a courtroom at the Tokyo District Court’s Tachikawa branch — revealed the downfall of a once-stable office worker whose lavish post-retirement spending spree spiralled into obsession, debt, and eventually tragedy.
💸 From Salaryman to Spender: The ¥60 Million Collapse
The convicted man, Akira Ishikawa, had worked for nearly 30 years at Fuji Xerox before taking early retirement in 2018, pocketing a ¥60 million (about US$390,000) severance package.
Within just six months, every yen of it was gone.
After leaving work life behind, Ishikawa reportedly spent freely on luxury anime figurines and “papa-katsu” relationships — a term referring to compensated dating popular among certain online circles (aka Sugr Daddy).
By 2022, he was seeing several younger women he met through dating apps, one of whom was the victim, known publicly only as Ms. A, a 24-year-old ex-idol who once performed in a small underground idol group before leaving the industry.
💔 A Relationship Fueled by Money and Control
According to court testimony, Ishikawa met Ms. A in August 2022, quickly becoming emotionally attached and financially dependent on the relationship.
Over several months, he allegedly spent between ¥20 million and ¥30 million on her, including direct cash transfers and extravagant trips such as a luxury getaway to Disneyland that cost over ¥1 million.
When Ms. A began asking for more money — sometimes messaging him, “Can you withdraw 1.1 million today?” — his finances were already in free fall.
By the time of the murder, Ishikawa’s bank account had less than ¥1,500 left, and he was also ¥7.4 million in debt to credit card companies and lenders.
⚖️ The Murder and Aftermath
The tragedy occurred in February 2023, when Ishikawa and Ms. A met at a hotel in Fuchu City.
After paying her ¥60,000, Ishikawa fatally stabbed her with a survival knife in what prosecutors said was an act driven by anger and possessiveness rather than premeditation.
He then took back the same ¥60,000 from her wallet before leaving the scene.
Police were alerted the next day when hotel staff noticed Ms. A hadn’t checked out for over 24 hours.
Officers found her dead from multiple stab wounds to the neck. Hours later, Ishikawa confessed to police at his home, calmly admitting, “I killed her.”
🏛️ The Court’s Verdict
During the five-day trial, the prosecution argued that Ishikawa’s actions stemmed from “a distorted sense of ownership and wounded pride,” insisting the crime was deliberate and driven by jealousy rather than desperation.
The defence countered that Ishikawa was struggling with bipolar disorder and insomnia, and that his mental instability and financial ruin had pushed him to a breaking point.
Ultimately, the court found him guilty of murder and theft, sentencing him to 16 years in prison.
The presiding judge stated that while the act lacked long-term planning, it showed “strong intent and a selfish motive, leaving no room for sympathy.”
🕯️ Remembering Ms. A
Ms. A’s brief idol career had ended years before, but she was remembered by friends as someone who “always chased a dream” even after leaving the entertainment world.
Her struggles with depression and ADHD had been known to close acquaintances, who described her as “bright but fragile.”
The case has reignited online discussions about Japan’s papa-katsu culture, generational loneliness, and how emotional and financial dependency can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
📰 TL;DR
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Who: Ex-Fuji Xerox employee, 57, murdered a 24-year-old former underground idol.
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When: February 2023; sentenced November 2025.
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Why: After losing ¥60M on lavish dating and sugr daddy arrangements, the man killed the woman out of anger and despair.
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Sentence: 16 years imprisonment.
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Impact: Case sparks debate on financial obsession and emotional isolation in modern Japan.