Japan - Miyazawa family of 4 murdered, Setagaya, Tokyo, 30 Dec 2000 #3

[Cryptic]

In these cases… what if we switched the idea of ‘US serviceman’ to ‘son of a serviceman’, and ‘man’ to ‘teenager’ that was in school on the base. In your opinion, would that change any of your outlooks here?

Thanks for your reply!

Son of a serviceman would largely mirror the average serviceman. There are some exceptions, however.

A. "Homesteading" serviceman parent: Most of these are married to locals and have managed to extend their service tours (hard to do as the military needs to balance rotations and....perhaps deep down inside, Uncle Sam does not like US servicemen getting in too close to foreign societies to avoid conflict of interest problems.

B. Son of a contractor: There are alot of both local and US contractors on bases. Everythng from specialized technicians to store clerks to computer specialists. They are far more free to renew contracts than US serviceman can extend tours.

Given that there are alot of "Bs", lets look at the fictitious Daniel Cho....

- Daniel is of Korean descent and is the son of Eun "Edward" Cho". Form birth, Daniel was aggressive and alot of avoidable drama problems in school soon followed.

- Following a difficult divorce, Edward takes IT position in Japan with the US airforce. Maybe he was disenchanted with some aspects of US culture and their effect on Daniel. Maybe he wanted a fresh start. Maybe a little bit of both.

- The move, however, did not improve Daniel's attitude. Repeated discipline problems, poor grades, fights continue in school. Daniel drops the football team- never a team player. Daniel then gravitates to wrestling- and does well- though his coach is getting tired of his "baggage".

- Daniel and his father live off base. His father's position as a contractor, however, gives Daniel full access to the base and he attends school there.

- Had Daniel been inclined to philospophic thought, he would see that he is different than most Americans at the base. Living off base has led to Daniel being comfortable in non tourist / entertainment areas. Daniel has developed a proficiency in Japanese. He buys clothes on the Japanese market. Whether from personal reference or simple convenience from living off base, Daniel is not on a pork chop and mash potatoes diet.

- Daniel also has a habit of roaming the city in a perpetually angry state of mind. One day, he has an encounter with the victim....

 

[Charlot123]

Evidently, the killer purchased a knife before the attack in which the vendor did not notice any language limitations. Granted, it could have been a limited exchange. But, the killer evidently also accessed the victim's computer- presumably the computer used Japanese fonts. Thus, the ability to read Japanese.

The food argument is a component of a totality. And.... your use of absolute language ("Americans") is not accurate. "some" Americans regularly eat a variety of ethnic foods. Others, however, do not. Some American criminals would select ethnic foods from a victim's kitchen. Others, however, would not.

RSFB - I think that he lost some energy during this attack, and probably, got agitated. So he ate ice cream, which was cold and sweet, to calm down. I suspect he has "a sweet tooth" and sugary food could be more calming for him than string beans. It would be more interesting to see what he didn't eat. The Miyazawas were preparing for the NY, probably had nice things...

 

[Sor Juana]

- Had Daniel been inclined to philospophic thought, he would see that he is different than most Americans at the base. Living off base has led to Daniel being comfortable in non tourist / entertainment areas. Daniel has developed a proficiency in Japanese. He buys clothes on the Japanese market. Whether from personal reference or simple convenience from living off base, Daniel is not on a pork chop and mash potatoes diet.

RSBM. Where does Daniel launder his Japanese clothes?

 

[SteveL]

Just noticed this on the TMPD website, regarding the murders, and requesting assistance from the public. Verbatim:

"Look at your photo albums, videos, and student yearbook(s). Taken between 1998 and 2000."​

It's been awhile since I went on the TMPD site, but this is the first I recall them specifically calling out "student yearbooks." After having reviewed the Yokoto yearbooks, this makes me feel even more likely the killer is contained in those pages. There are at least 2 people who solidly fit the killer's profile. At the very least, it confirms TMPD suspects a younger POI. Interesting that they specifically focus on the yearbooks from 1998-2000.

It's unusual the Yokoto 1998-2000 yearbooks are available online, while the 2001 edition is one of the rare ones that isn't. If the killer indeed moved away shortly after the killing, as suspected, he wouldn't appear in the 2001 yearbook. If the 2001 version was available, I'd simply check to see which students fitting the killer's profile were missing from the 2000 yearbook.

 

[Sor Juana]

Just noticed this on the TMPD website, regarding the murders, and requesting assistance from the public. Verbatim:

"Look at your photo albums, videos, and student yearbook(s). Taken between 1998 and 2000."​

It's been awhile since I went on the TMPD site, but this is the first I recall them specifically calling out "student yearbooks." After having reviewed the Yokoto yearbooks, this makes me feel even more likely the killer is contained in those pages. There are at least 2 people who solidly fit the killer's profile. At the very least, it confirms TMPD suspects a younger POI. Interesting that they specifically focus on the yearbooks from 1998-2000.

RSBM. "Look at your photo albums..."
Why would TMPD be interested in other school albums if they could access Yokota albums if they wanted to? In my view, it is a way to encourage people to go back in time and retrieve some images from the past. Now that they have put out new posters and extended the search area eastward, it would be useful for those who lived or studied in those areas to refresh their memories and perhaps identify someone who fits the description.

 

[Charlot123]

Just noticed this on the TMPD website, regarding the murders, and requesting assistance from the public. Verbatim:

"Look at your photo albums, videos, and student yearbook(s). Taken between 1998 and 2000."​

It's been awhile since I went on the TMPD site, but this is the first I recall them specifically calling out "student yearbooks." After having reviewed the Yokoto yearbooks, this makes me feel even more likely the killer is contained in those pages. There are at least 2 people who solidly fit the killer's profile. At the very least, it confirms TMPD suspects a younger POI. Interesting that they specifically focus on the yearbooks from 1998-2000.

It's unusual the Yokoto 1998-2000 yearbooks are available online, while the 2001 edition is one of the rare ones that isn't. If the killer indeed moved away shortly after the killing, as suspected, he wouldn't appear in the 2001 yearbook. If the 2001 version was available, I'd simply check to see which students fitting the killer's profile were missing from the 2000 yearbook.

How much of the profile do we have available? Short of the sand? We don't have their autosomal ethnic breakdown; no book says where they live or whether they carry a knife. Their Y is not on the photos either.

Now, it is one of additional theories for TMPD. They check every link.

I think that Niina could well be the target, but I am far from having a poi or accusing someone of planning a SA on a kid. As a theory, I can work at it. To think of the guy's profile. But not looking for specific poi.

 

[annemc2]

rsbm - It's unusual the Yokoto 1998-2000 yearbooks are available online, while the 2001 edition is one of the rare ones that isn't. If the killer indeed moved away shortly after the killing, as suspected, he wouldn't appear in the 2001 yearbook. If the 2001 version was available, I'd simply check to see which students fitting the killer's profile were missing from the 2000 yearbook.

If the killer was supposed to be with the graduating class of 2000 and left mid-year, would his photo/information be included as a courtesy or would they be omitted? The killer could be class of 2000 in the yearbook, class of 2000 not in yearbook, or class of 2001 possibly included in (unavailable) yearbook.

Which leaves me wondering, if he in fact did leave rather abruptly mid-school senior year, was he a true graduate of Yokoto HS? Did he transfer to another school within the US for his last semester? Did he end up doing independent study to complete his HS degree or even take the GED (unlikely imo)? And even though he was on the cusp of 18, he could have still been a HS junior at this point (like one of my kids).

 

[Charlot123]

Until it was laid out so explicitly, I hadn’t realized how much of his clothing and items the killer left behind. I agree with you that there are a lot of implications and questions this raises, as the ones you point out above.

Did the killer plan to leave his outfit behind?

Did the killer choose an outfit that was what he would normally wear, or did he choose clothes that were very different than what he normally wore?

If he did plan to leave the clothes behind, is this because he knew he couldn’t risk going back with bloody clothing because he lived with a family or someone that did his laundry?

What did he do with the sweater/shirt he stole from Mikio? I assume that has never been found.

Self-injuring during knife attacks happens frequently, but people planning the attack are usually unaware of it. I doubt he foresaw injuring himself and the blood. So, I doubt he thought of the risk of going back with bloody clothing.

 

[FlowersInBloom]

RSBM. Where does Daniel launder his Japanese clothes?

Thank you @Cryptic for the visuals with your reply! This is somewhat what I’m imagining… perhaps with some details different… but basically that.

@Sor Juana as for this POI that I’m forever going on about it seems… Faceless did mention he moved around a lot in Japan… if it were between bases then maybe as far as Kadena (Okinawa) in the south and Misawa (Aomori) in the north?
I’m not very knowledgeable about water hardness, but could that explain it if it didn’t match the water type in Yokota maybe?

@SteveL WOW does it mention yearbooks now?!?! That is very interesting... I saw posts from @TokyoSleuth and @Incoherent a few pages back about posters being out in Tokyo again and stretching far across the city… could this mean something? Does the TMPD know something and they’re closing in on an answer? Faceless did pop back up and say things were happening offline. I feel excited.

 

[Sillybilly]

Just noticed this on the TMPD website, regarding the murders, and requesting assistance from the public. Verbatim:

"Look at your photo albums, videos, and student yearbook(s). Taken between 1998 and 2000."​

It's been awhile since I went on the TMPD site, but this is the first I recall them specifically calling out "student yearbooks." After having reviewed the Yokoto yearbooks, this makes me feel even more likely the killer is contained in those pages. There are at least 2 people who solidly fit the killer's profile. At the very least, it confirms TMPD suspects a younger POI. Interesting that they specifically focus on the yearbooks from 1998-2000.

It's unusual the Yokoto 1998-2000 yearbooks are available online, while the 2001 edition is one of the rare ones that isn't. If the killer indeed moved away shortly after the killing, as suspected, he wouldn't appear in the 2001 yearbook. If the 2001 version was available, I'd simply check to see which students fitting the killer's profile were missing from the 2000 yearbook.

Please provide a link to the article or it will have to be removed, along with all responses.

Thanks !!

 

[Sor Juana]

@Sor Juana if it were between bases then maybe as far as Kadena (Okinawa) in the south and Misawa (Aomori) in the north?
I’m not very knowledgeable about water hardness, but could that explain it if it didn’t match the water type in Yokota maybe?

RSBM. Well, that's certainly a unique perspective!

 

[fridaybaker]

Take a look at the photo albums from 1998 (the 10th year of Heisei) to 2000 (the 12th year of Heisei).​

Take a look at snapshots, home videos, and yearbooks from 1998 (the 10th year of Heisei) to 2000 (the 12th year of Heisei).
Someone you know may be wearing the same Slazenger shoes. We are waiting for your brave tips.

https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/korean/safe_society/wanted/seijo07.html

 

[BatataPoha]

Insane they are looking only at Slazenger shoes and not the other pieces of clothing for the yearbook announcement

Wonder how they reached that consclusion or is it just for simplicity?

Also that year range seems oddly specific for a suspect supposedly in the age group of 15-25

 

[FlowersInBloom]

Insane they are looking only at Slazenger shoes and not the other pieces of clothing for the yearbook announcement

Wonder how they reached that consclusion or is it just for simplicity?

Also that year range seems oddly specific for a suspect supposedly in the age group of 15-25

Agree. A two year gap. If the lowest age given by TMPD is 15 and they’re looking for 1998-2000 school yearbooks, it basically says to me they suspect he was a high school student at the time of the murders then. It’s not directly saying so… but I think it’s a pretty clear indication.

 

[TokyoSleuth]

Insane they are looking only at Slazenger shoes and not the other pieces of clothing for the yearbook announcement

Presumably because the shoes are the most likely piece of clothing to have been pre-owned due to the apparent difficulty of getting them in Japan. Whereas the other clothing was purchased in Japan so may have been bought just before the crime.

I saw posts from @TokyoSleuth and @Incoherent a few pages back about posters being out in Tokyo again and stretching far across the city… could this mean something?

It's possible that the posters have been there for a while, I don't go through that station much. Also worth mentioning that I have never seen a poster at my home station or any of the nearby Kobans (mini police stations) which is only about 5 stops down from those near the park.

I would imagine that the recent break in to the house renewed some public interest in the case, and also made a lot of people aware of it for the first time. For a lot of Japanese people I've spoken to about this case, unless you were a teenager or adult at the time it's relatively unknown, and it's not really remembered for many others.

 

[Incoherent]

It's possible that the posters have been there for a while, I don't go through that station much. Also worth mentioning that I have never seen a poster at my home station or any of the nearby Kobans (mini police stations) which is only about 5 stops down from those near the park.

I would imagine that the recent break in to the house renewed some public interest in the case, and also made a lot of people aware of it for the first time. For a lot of Japanese people I've spoken to about this case, unless you were a teenager or adult at the time it's relatively unknown, and it's not really remembered for many others.

To add here I was only in Uguisudani by chance and I also never use that station. I can’t really say if the poster was new, but it didn’t look weathered or otherwise old. The information on it was up to date in comparison to the TMPD webpage on the case. I was surprised to see it.

I’ve lived close to the house only since the beginning of this year and have not seen any posters around here either, though I’m aware Setsuko Miyazawa still hands out fliers near Seijo station around the time of the murder each year. I’ll be on the lookout close to the end of this year for anything.

My coworkers at work who were teenagers or young adults at the time of the murders know the case very well, but the younger ones not so much as @TokyoSleuth mentions. I actually had a few hours long in-depth conversation with one of my coworkers about the case who was born and raised in Machida, Tokyo in the late 80’s early 90’s. She had a lot to say about how it felt in Tokyo during that time.

From the reports on the news sites the high school kids that hopped over the barriers to the house last November also had no idea what had actually happened there and did it for a dare.

 

[SteveL]

Please provide a link to the article or it will have to be removed, along with all responses.

Thanks !!

https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/safe_society/wanted/seijo07.html

 

[Cryptic]

RSBM. Where does Daniel launder his Japanese clothes?

In a closet, well, sort of....

Daniel lives with father and was born in Los Angeles. The fact that the family was already used to small, expensive condo living made the move to Tokyo easier to contemplate for his father. Tokyo, however, is on another level in this regard.

Daniel's family is also used to the general U.S. convenience of a at least some what larger condo with inside dryer and washer.

Uncle Sam needs US contractors at the base as a lot IT work must be done by US citizens due to security reasons. So.... Uncle Sam uses a local placement agency that guides the contractors towards some recommended and slightly larger apartments.

Apartment size solved- well at least, relatively, the family buys stackable, mini dryer and washer units that are common in LA, NYC, SF, and.... Tokyo. These then go into one of the few closets in the "spacious" by Tokyo standards apartment.