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

[FacelessPodcast]

Although it's minor, the most odd thing to me is the train schedule still attached to the fridge (via magnet?). Everything else in the kitchen appears to have been stripped, inventoried and packed into boxes. As a parent of 2 children similar in age to the Miyazawa's, there was most definitely children's art, projects, pictures etc. on that fridge. And, I find it impossible to believe the Miyazawa's kept nothing on that fridge door other than that flimsy schedule. As we know the killer was in the fridge and freezer, at the very least, the probability exists that he came into contact with that paper. In that regard, it should've been put into evidence.

I can't imagine they would have left that paper there if it carried any trace of the killer. In fact, I think it's more likely it was simply left due to its irrelevance to the killer. He might well have looked at it, or not. But what they've left is things belonging to the children, for obvious reasons, that the killer didn't come into contact. Same goes for the piano, various other things seen in the An Irie video. We know that the TMPD are all in favour of acquiescing to the City's desire to tear the house down citing that all evidence is logged and that the house is completely recorded via 3D models.

Another schedule that TMPD seems to place importance on, is the night's TV schedule. It's one of the most prominent points from the case on the TMPD website. While I understand its relevance, I don't understand its prominence regarding the case?

Is it one of the most prominent points on the website? From memory, it's the last thing on their information appeal document, right at the bottom--the language used attempting to jog the viewer's memory. Of course, at the time it was compiled, this would have been far more useful than it is today. As you say, if I were going to trim anything from that PDF, it would be the TV listing. To put it another way, I don't think there is any prominence regarding the case.

I've often wondered if TMPD has left things for the killer as a trap. To me, the whole premise of keeping the house up has meant something.

As I understand it, they don't actually want to leave it standing at all. Perhaps initially they might've thought the killer would return. But it's been 24 years and the only reason it's still standing is because of An Irie.

 

[Incoherent]

Thank you!

1) did the Miyazawas have curtains or blinders on their windows? From the photo with the policeman it would appear that the one on the left (of which only half is seen) is covered from the inside?

You’re welcome!

The house had curtains, however the window you see there is the toilet and both the bathroom and toilet have slightly frosted glass for obvious reasons. You can see in this picture of the house the windows all had mosquito coverings too which obscure one half of the window.


Re: the train schedule, since it’s there from the press day I don’t think it had any relevance other than, as discussed, to perhaps jog people’s memories the same as the tv schedule on the PDFs.
About things being taken if it had any evidence, you can see in this picture the top drawer from the cabinet in the living room is still missing. I believe that might be one of the drawers found on top of Mikio (unsure here) but had the documents from it dumped in the bath, or it was rummaged through, so it was never returned to the house.


Even in 2020 the house was already falling apart, and in An Irie’s interviews she almost berates the city and police about wanting to demolish it before the case is solved. However now that the house isn’t being used for collecting evidence etc and has just been left to stand alone I wonder how long it has left before it becomes a hazard for the people that use Soshigaya park or one big earthquake makes it collapse. Here’s the state of the kid’s bedroom back in 2020 and also a picture of the entrance that I just found interesting because we rarely get to see that angle. Note the windows have been covered up to prevent being able to see inside through the curtains.

 

[fridaybaker]

A.I. is a conundrum. She doesn’t want the house to be demolished “while the case isn’t solved”, which I presume must mean that she thinks at some point it will be helpful to the investigation. Maybe for a “walk-through” by a jury during a trial or something? Meanwhile, there is likely ample DNA awaiting her consent (24 years on and counting…) to be privately tested so that we can know who the killer is. I tread lightly here, but the idea of a very thankful killer is inescapable to me.

Over the years on this case, I’ve come to the conclusion that the most likely theory regarding a suspect is Nic’s. But with any theory, how does the above fit in? Is it just a coincidental bit of life, messy as it often is, or is it an integral part of this case? An essential piece of the puzzle? Is there a connection so hidden that it would be, essentially, impossible to know for anyone but perhaps A.I. herself? Something silent. Perhaps a fear of a connection?

 

[Incoherent]

Interestingly something that isn’t mentioned much is that there was a path directly behind the house that went in front of the fence and led right to the other side to the river. It seems it was accessible to anyone.

I had seen it when I visited the house but it is now all blocked off and overgrown, but if you see these two images here it shows the path.

He would have still needed the fence as leverage to reach the bathroom window but it seems as though anyone could have walked directly behind the house. The Irie side has windows down to the ground so in theory someone could stand right by them if they wanted to.



The second image is when a man who was reported to have jumped out from that path in front of a car was being reported on by the news.

 

[Incoherent]

Correction to above post: someone can walk down that path but the fence blocks you from leaving the property area on the other side, meaning you can only come back the way you came.

 

[Charlot123]

A.I. is a conundrum. She doesn’t want the house to be demolished “while the case isn’t solved”, which I presume must mean that she thinks at some point it will be helpful to the investigation. Maybe for a “walk-through” by a jury during a trial or something? Meanwhile, there is likely ample DNA awaiting her consent (24 years on and counting…) to be privately tested so that we can know who the killer is. I tread lightly here, but the idea of a very thankful killer is inescapable to me.

Over the years on this case, I’ve come to the conclusion that the most likely theory regarding a suspect is Nic’s. But with any theory, how does the above fit in? Is it just a coincidental bit of life, messy as it often is, or is it an integral part of this case? An essential piece of the puzzle? Is there a connection so hidden that it would be, essentially, impossible to know for anyone but perhaps A.I. herself? Something silent. Perhaps a fear of a connection?

Well, this is at least something we can discuss.
- It might be the situation when A.I. is unaware but has own ideas, right or wrong, and may be afraid to know more.

- another thing I am thinking of is the house. What purpose does it serve? It could be just emotional - the last thing left of that family. We do visit gravesites, right? There is nothing there, but I guess it is the place to come back to our memories, the last connection between us and the departed. Maybe this is all the house is to An.

- However, sometimes I think, old houses might be rebuilt many times. That house looks strange, more like an agglomeration of swallows’ nests, as if it was expanded from time to time. What if there is something peculiar about its construction that is unseen from the inside or outside, but will inevitably be noticed if the house is demolished in a planned way? If it collapses, it is a pile of rubbish. If a quake destroys it, it is destroyed, period. But planned demolition might uncover something interesting.

So I don’t know what tools are used to detect, say, cavities under the house? A thermal radar or something else? I wonder if the police has examined the area under the foundation? I know they have made a 3d model, but they might have assumed that the foundation is solid, and it may be not. Or, there could be something underneath the foundation. This is what has come to my mind.

 

[dotr]

Well, this is at least something we can discuss.
- It might be the situation when A.I. is unaware but has own ideas, right or wrong, and may be afraid to know more.

- another thing I am thinking of is the house. What purpose does it serve? It could be just emotional - the last thing left of that family. We do visit gravesites, right? There is nothing there, but I guess it is the place to come back to our memories, the last connection between us and the departed. Maybe this is all the house is to An.

- However, sometimes I think, old houses might be rebuilt many times. That house looks strange, more like an agglomeration of swallows’ nests, as if it was expanded from time to time. What if there is something peculiar about its construction that is unseen from the inside or outside, but will inevitably be noticed if the house is demolished in a planned way? If it collapses, it is a pile of rubbish. If a quake destroys it, it is destroyed, period. But planned demolition might uncover something interesting.

So I don’t know what tools are used to detect, say, cavities under the house? A thermal radar or something else? I wonder if the police has examined the area under the foundation? I know they have made a 3d model, but they might have assumed that the foundation is solid, and it may be not. Or, there could be something underneath the foundation. This is what has come to my mind.

Since watching the acclaimed Korean film, Parasite, the idea of hidden passages/people, in/or around the M family house, also comes to my mind. imo.

 

[Incoherent]

Well, this is at least something we can discuss.
- It might be the situation when A.I. is unaware but has own ideas, right or wrong, and may be afraid to know more.

- another thing I am thinking of is the house. What purpose does it serve? It could be just emotional - the last thing left of that family. We do visit gravesites, right? There is nothing there, but I guess it is the place to come back to our memories, the last connection between us and the departed. Maybe this is all the house is to An.

- However, sometimes I think, old houses might be rebuilt many times. That house looks strange, more like an agglomeration of swallows’ nests, as if it was expanded from time to time. What if there is something peculiar about its construction that is unseen from the inside or outside, but will inevitably be noticed if the house is demolished in a planned way? If it collapses, it is a pile of rubbish. If a quake destroys it, it is destroyed, period. But planned demolition might uncover something interesting.

So I don’t know what tools are used to detect, say, cavities under the house? A thermal radar or something else? I wonder if the police has examined the area under the foundation? I know they have made a 3d model, but they might have assumed that the foundation is solid, and it may be not. Or, there could be something underneath the foundation. This is what has come to my mind.

It is an interesting idea, but Japan has a very strict building code due to seismic activity so the foundations of the house and what is underneath it is planned according to regulations before being built. Even a wooden house like that from the 90’s is built to withstand magnitude 7+ without taking much damage, as is apparent from the many earthquakes it has withstood over the last 24 years including the 9.1 in 2011. With zero maintenance now that is a bit of a different story as to whether it could totally withstand a massive quake or not.
So I’m not so sure there could be anything under it honestly.

 

[Incoherent]

Since watching the acclaimed Korean film, Parasite, the idea of hidden passages/people, in/or around the M family house, also comes to my mind. imo.

Off topic: fantastic film!

 

[TokyoSleuth]

For example, taking a photo to sell a dress on eBay comes to my mind. Lying on the bed, hanging on the window… it is just an example but if Mikio was selling something online, maybe airplane models, and took a photo against the window here is one’s way to see how it opens.

As pointed out by @Incoherent (great work with the photos by the way mate) that type of mechanism is standard in all Japanese homes for windows and balcony doors. So anyone who had spent more than a month in Japan would know both how to open it and that they are easy to forget to lock.

Re: the train schedule, since it’s there from the press day I don’t think it had any relevance other than, as discussed, to perhaps jog people’s memories the same as the tv schedule on the PDFs.

This is interesting for me as I had always wondered due to the house location whether they would use the Keio line to the North, or Odakyu to the South. Specifically having a schedule for Seijo Gakuen means it was the latter. Also this makes me think that it was more than just for Mikio's commute. He would know exactly which train he needed to take to work each morning and would not need a schedule. This raises the possibility that they used that line frequently at irregular times, shopping etc. Nothing to read into too much, but the Odakyu line is a fairly common one for stalking and Chikan incidents, even been a couple of stabbings in the past few years.

That house looks strange, more like an agglomeration of swallows’ nests, as if it was expanded from time to time.

There are quite a few houses near me that have similar construction styles. Seems like it was a fairly typical layout for houses built around that time period.

Since watching the acclaimed Korean film, Parasite, the idea of hidden passages/people, in/or around the M family house, also comes to my mind. imo.

Echoing @Incoherent again on two points:
1. Great film!
2. This is Japan, not Korea. Building regulations, styles, and historical factors are not the same.

 

[Incoherent]

This is interesting for me as I had always wondered due to the house location whether they would use the Keio line to the North, or Odakyu to the South. Specifically having a schedule for Seijo Gakuen means it was the latter. Also this makes me think that it was more than just for Mikio's commute. He would know exactly which train he needed to take to work each morning and would not need a schedule. This raises the possibility that they used that line frequently at irregular times, shopping etc. Nothing to read into too much, but the Odakyu line is a fairly common one for stalking and Chikan incidents, even been a couple of stabbings in the past few years.

Had wondered that too because Seijo and Chitose are both exactly the same distance away just in different directions. But the schedule could allude to using Seijo more for commuting and getting about. Using Seijo would mean a walk past the tennis courts and Soshigaya park each day, whereas Chitose would be walking away from it.

I looked into where the Interbrand office is and it’s currently in Toranomon Hills but it seems to be a fairly recent move, and before that their office was in Hiro-o. Unsure about back in 2000 if they had a different location. The commutes aren’t super great for Tokyo.

Re: the locks, yeah… that type of lock really isn’t great. It always feels a bit unsafe to me. I’ve definitely left mine unlocked by mistake a few times. The family could have done that too… or for the bathroom, perhaps it was open anyway to let the steam out after using the bath. I personally believe the killer didn’t fill the tub and it was already still full when he entered. In pictures it had the cover over it to keep the water warm. So they could have either just been done with the bath or still about to use it.

Got any thoughts about it?

 

[TokyoSleuth]

For a commute to Hiro-o I think it would be either take the Keio to Shibuya then Yamanote to somewhere like Ebisu to get on the Hibiya line. or Odakyu to Shinjuku and then the same with Yamanote. It would depend on what the rapid trains were like in 2000.

Having a schedule for Seijo says to me that it was a station used outside of regular commutes. Maybe to go shopping up the line in Shimo-Kitazawa/Shinjuku, or down towards somewhere like Machida.

I agree it is likely the tub was filled. That is what gives me my biggest doubt that the entry was the bathroom, as navigating a filed bathtub from such a tight entry would have made quite a splash. I lean more towards the balcony theory.

The other thing about the locks are that they are not locked with a key and easy for a child to open. Something I've wondered about is the positioning of Rei's body on the bed. it has always struck me that if the killer had come across him sleeping and strangled him, his position should be lying in bed with his head more or less on the pillow. But the position in the sketch is more perpendicular to the bed with his lower half on the floor, almost like he was standing facing the bed and pushed down onto the mattress being attacked from behind. Is it possible the faceless man was let in off the balcony by Rei, who then tried to run and was caught by him? The commotion of which then drew Mikio upstairs?

 

[vls12345]

You’re welcome!

The house had curtains, however the window you see there is the toilet and both the bathroom and toilet have slightly frosted glass for obvious reasons. You can see in this picture of the house the windows all had mosquito coverings too which obscure one half of the window.
View attachment 524425

Re: the train schedule, since it’s there from the press day I don’t think it had any relevance other than, as discussed, to perhaps jog people’s memories the same as the tv schedule on the PDFs.
About things being taken if it had any evidence, you can see in this picture the top drawer from the cabinet in the living room is still missing. I believe that might be one of the drawers found on top of Mikio (unsure here) but had the documents from it dumped in the bath, or it was rummaged through, so it was never returned to the house.
View attachment 524426

Even in 2020 the house was already falling apart, and in An Irie’s interviews she almost berates the city and police about wanting to demolish it before the case is solved. However now that the house isn’t being used for collecting evidence etc and has just been left to stand alone I wonder how long it has left before it becomes a hazard for the people that use Soshigaya park or one big earthquake makes it collapse. Here’s the state of the kid’s bedroom back in 2020 and also a picture of the entrance that I just found interesting because we rarely get to see that angle. Note the windows have been covered up to prevent being able to see inside through the curtains.
View attachment 524430
View attachment 524431

Are the numbered boxes in the house all things that are considered *not* evidence? I would assume that any actual evidence has been saved/preserved in a secure, climate-controlled location?

Even with the house still standing 20+ years later, I find it odd that the boxes remain there. I guess that is An's choice?

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Are the numbered boxes in the house all things that are considered *not* evidence? I would assume that any actual evidehas been saved/preserved in a secure, climate-controlled location?

Even with the house still standing 20+ years later, I find it odd that the boxes remain there. I guess that is An's choice?

Correct. As I understand it, they’re not evidence. They’re the family’s belongings and so on. I would assume the TMPD took it all into evidence initially, then released it back to the relatives.

 

[Incoherent]

Are the numbered boxes in the house all things that are considered *not* evidence? I would assume that any actual evidence has been saved/preserved in a secure, climate-controlled location?

Even with the house still standing 20+ years later, I find it odd that the boxes remain there. I guess that is An's choice?

Yeah, not evidence. At least not anymore.
The boxes are labelled according to where the stuff inside is from and how many boxes for example “2nd floor storage 24” - “2階納戸24”
You can see inside of one that contains one of Niina’s labelled bags she probably took to elementary school.


Living room.

 

[Cryptic]

Of military bases and military dependent youth.....

The gates are not the only way onto military bases in the case of outdoor oriented youth.

Even small bases can have miles of fence and can also have little used "back 40" areas. For large bases, the back areas can be hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of square miles.

Except for a few hyper secure bases, fence patrols and high tech intruder sensors are very rare. Growing up, my friends and I knew how to get on, or off base with our bikes. Usually by following a stream, or knowing where there was a hole in the fence, or where the fence was easy to climb over / slip under such as a culvert.

Yokota Airbase is small and in a densely populated urban area. Ways in and out besides the gates are going to be fewer in number. But.... there are still several miles of fence, lesser used areas, and the possibilities of holes and places where fence maintenance has slipped.

I would not dismiss the possibility that some (probably just a handful) of "youth in the know" can get on and off base with out using the gates.

 

[fridaybaker]

Cryptic, it’s interesting that you bring this up. I know very little about military bases, but a few days ago we were driving around an area that we thought was quite a ways from a nearby base. We were stunned to realize that the property extended seemingly miles from the main gate, out into farmland and forest. And, secured by ….a chain link fence. Like the kind you see in any suburban neighborhood. So odd. They make everyone go through a check point at the main gate, and visitors have to have a background check and have their vehicle inspected before entering there, but a few miles down the road, anyone could hop the fence and no one would be the wiser.
Does anyone know if this is true at Yokota?

 

[Incoherent]

Cryptic, it’s interesting that you bring this up. I know very little about military bases, but a few days ago we were driving around an area that we thought was quite a ways from a nearby base. We were stunned to realize that the property extended seemingly miles from the main gate, out into farmland and forest. And, secured by ….a chain link fence. Like the kind you see in any suburban neighborhood. So odd. They make everyone go through a check point at the main gate, and visitors have to have a background check and have their vehicle inspected before entering there, but a few miles down the road, anyone could hop the fence and no one would be the wiser.
Does anyone know if this is true at Yokota?

It is the same at Yokota. It is a chain link fence surrounding the base, except the top of it has three layers of razor wire too. A quick look on Google Earth does show some minor holes in the fence and the empty fields that surround it, but I couldn’t comment on whether you could sneak in or out of there undetected because I’m not very knowledgable about the security beyond that.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Of military bases and military dependent youth.....

The gates are not the only way onto military bases in the case of outdoor oriented youth.

Even small bases can have miles of fence and can also have little used "back 40" areas. For large bases, the back areas can be hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of square miles.

Except for a few hyper secure bases, fence patrols and high tech intruder sensors are very rare. Growing up, my friends and I knew how to get on, or off base with our bikes. Usually by following a stream, or knowing where there was a hole in the fence, or where the fence was easy to climb over / slip under such as a culvert.

Yokota Airbase is small and in a densely populated urban area. Ways in and out besides the gates are going to be fewer in number. But.... there are still several miles of fence, lesser used areas, and the possibilities of holes and places where fence maintenance has slipped.

I would not dismiss the possibility that some (probably just a handful) of "youth in the know" can get on and off base with out using the gates.

Interesting points, @Cryptic. Just to add that I've spoken to several people who lived on various USAF bases in Japan who mentioned sneaking off-base in their youth. (This includes an associate of my POI). They mentioned heading off-base both on-foot and driving off-base. So, yes. Sounds entirely possible.

 

[Cryptic]

They make everyone go through a check point at the main gate, and visitors have to have a background check and have their vehicle inspected before entering there, but a few miles down the road, anyone could hop the fence and no one would be the wiser.

As you stated, it is more than a little ironic.

I believe the source of the irony could be that the gate security is mostly designed to deter easy comings and goings by 'Merican citizens- not foreign spies. Military life can feature very long hours away from home. They pay is not great. So.... Uncle Sam makes up for it by providing as many benefits as he can.

One of the benefits is providing living conditions for servicemen and their families that are safe, stable and secure as possible. Thus, the gates deter alot of citizen riff raff inclined to disturb base tranquility in big ways and in small ways. These same people are not inclined to hop the fence, then walk (gasp) to the main part of the base.

Growing up on bases was largely like growing up in "Maybury". That does not mean that there were never problems. Some bases can have the population of a mid size city and have all associated the problems. But.... gates and active enforcement really dialed down the frequency of those problems. A good quality of life then leads to more re-enlistments- especially amongst Servicemen with families.