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

[FacelessPodcast]

So from your post, I understand that they assume “Adriatic” basing on mitochondrial DNA, right? (If they used autosomal DNA, they’d know how many generations ago the killer had a European ancestor).

However, mitochondrial DNA says nothing about the ancestry of the person’s mother. My relative has a very rare mitogroup originating from Persia. (No connection with that country whatsoever).

I'm afraid I have no idea what kind of DNA they're using, Charlot. I just know that it was in 2005 that this information came out about the killer's heritage. The one paragraph I'm certain about is what the mainstream media have said about it:

DNA analysis has revealed that traces of blood (type A) found at the scene not belonging to the family suggests that the killer has a mother of European descent, possibly from a country near the Mediterranean or Adriatic Sea. Analysis of the Y-chromosome has revealed that the killer's father is of Asian descent, with the DNA appearing in 1 in 4 or 5 Koreans, 1 in 10 Chinese, and 1 in 13 Japanese. He is believed to be about 170 cms tall and of thin build.

 

[Charlot123]

I'm afraid I have no idea what kind of DNA they're using, Charlot. I just know that it was in 2005 that this information came out about the killer's heritage. The one paragraph I'm certain about is what the mainstream media have said about it:

DNA analysis has revealed that traces of blood (type A) found at the scene not belonging to the family suggests that the killer has a mother of European descent, possibly from a country near the Mediterranean or Adriatic Sea. Analysis of the Y-chromosome has revealed that the killer's father is of Asian descent, with the DNA appearing in 1 in 4 or 5 Koreans, 1 in 10 Chinese, and 1 in 13 Japanese. He is believed to be about 170 cms tall and of thin build.

Much depends on when they did ancestral DNA testing.

I looked up. In 2000, ancestral tests that were available were 11 markers of Y-chromosome STR test and mitochondrial HVR1 (part of modern full mito) test.

First use of autosomal DNA for ancestral tests was started by 23@me in 2007.

So if the first statement of Tokyo police about the murderer’s ethnicity was made before 2007, chances are, they tested Y and mitochondrial DNA.

The potential mistakes in interpreting the results in this case are obvious.

Both mitochondrial DNA and Y might be passed unchanged for generations and generations. Of course, they are subject to mutations, but when they happen, with what frequency, is random. So if mitochondrial DNA indicates that someone in the maternal line was from Adriatic region, it could have been 500 years ago.

Same with Y. Let us assume it is Asian. But it is passed from grandpa to father to son…looking at Y, you can not assume that the man is Asian. You can only say that one of direct male forbearers was Asian. Maybe 20 generations ago.

Now, if the statement about the man being European on maternal line and Asian on paternal was made later, closer to 2010, it becomes more interesting. It is possible that by that time, the researchers were able to study the man’s autosomal DNA.

Let us imagine, that autosomal ethnicity is 50/50 European/Asian (IRL, close to 52/48 in men as Y chromosome is very small). And X chromosome, that a man gets from his mother, is all European. And Y is Asian. Then, they are likely right. Mother European, father - Asian. If the European component is only ~ 25% (could be 18-30 or close to it), then, it was likely one grandparent, or maybe, two great-grandparents. (It becomes more complicated, as, after all, both parents could be half-Asian, half-European, but in principle, autosomal testing could tell more about maternal/paternal ethnicity.)


P.S. Sorry, I missed 2005. In 2005, chances are, they had only Y 11-STR and part of mitochondrial genome. I left the part about autosomal DNA, because it might still be relevant. Today, they can find out a lot more, from the same DNA )).

 

[Cryptic]

And even then, let's say it turned out that his grandparents were from Albania on his mother's side, and his father was full Korean genetically -- there's still nothing to say that he couldn't be a born and bred Angeleno, or from San Diego. Not to say it wouldn't be highly valuable of course!

I agree. If the European DNA is even somewhat residual, it could have been transmitted to Korea by US missionaries in the 1800s, or by a servicewoman after 1945.

The individual's descendants then marry Koreans and later immigrate to the US as Koreans- then wind up in LA and have children who identify as Asian American. Or....American-Asian.

I think the "American- Asian" identity of many US born Asians is important. The totality of the case gives me vibes that the perpertrator is not only largely genetically Asian, but culturally Asian as well.

Any number of things are possible. He could be US born and fully bi cultural from the base. Or, my "culturally Asian" vibes could be wrong and he is simply a US born American- Asian from LA- and also from the base. Or, he could be US born in say, LA- then raised in Japan and thus fully culturally Asian.

But.... given the totality of: Asian derived clothing (one possible "sand" exception), apparent fluency in written and spoken Japanese, apparent fondness for Japanese food and I am thinking culturally Asian as well as genetically Asian and therefore less likely to be from the base.

I really like the "acculturated foreign student" possibility as it accounts for both his apparent fluency in Japanese etc. and also his ability to disappear.

In short, my bet (but not certainty) is that if the perpetrator was from the base, the crime would be:

- Perpetrator rage kills prostitutes associated with base "strip" and perps comfort zone. Perp can linguistically handle the knife buy- but no indicators of deeper knowledge of Japanese. Stool sample (one murder occurred in a prostitute's apartment) indicates burger's 'n fries. Perps clothing is nearly all US origin.

- US and Japanese authorities arrest.... Daniel Cho, the LA born son of a US contractor at the base. Korean press in Japan quickly points out that Cho was not born in Korea, has English first name and apparently does not speak Korean. Thus... not Korean (as far as they are concerned).

 

[Charlot123]

I agree. If the European DNA is even somewhat residual, it could have been transmitted to Korea by US missionaries in the 1800s, or by a servicewoman after 1945.

The individual's descendants then marry Koreans and later immigrate to the US as Koreans- then wind up in LA and have children who identify as Asian American. Or....American-Asian.

I think the "American- Asian" identity of many US born Asians is important. The totality of the case gives me vibes that the perpertrator is not only largely genetically Asian, but culturally Asian as well.

Any number of things are possible. He could be US born and fully bi cultural from the base. Or, my "culturally Asian" vibes could be wrong and he is simply a US born American- Asian from LA- and also from the base. Or, he could be US born in say, LA- then raised in Japan and thus fully culturally Asian.

But.... given the totality of: Asian derived clothing (one possible "sand" exception), apparent fluency in written and spoken Japanese, apparent fondness for Japanese food and I am thinking culturally Asian as well as genetically Asian and therefore less likely to be from the base.

I really like the "acculturated foreign student" possibility as it accounts for both his apparent fluency in Japanese etc. and also his ability to disappear.

In short, my bet (but not certainty) is that if the perpetrator was from the base, the crime would be:

- Perpetrator rage kills prostitutes associated with base "strip" and perps comfort zone. Perp can linguistically handle the knife buy- but no indicators of deeper knowledge of Japanese. Stool sample (one murder occurred in a prostitute's apartment) indicates burger's 'n fries. Perps clothing is nearly all US origin.

- US and Japanese authorities arrest.... Daniel Cho, the LA born son of a US contractor at the base. Korean press in Japan quickly points out that Cho was not born in Korea, has English first name and apparently does not speak Korean. Thus... not Korean (as far as they are concerned).

I would agree about the base. One thing, when hubby first visited Japan, he said that he stuck out, due to height and complexion. Especially the subway was inconvenient. If the perpetrator was described as “of slim built”, I assume, it is Japanese slim built; a US-born “slim built” would look rather heavy-boned in Japan. Also, the analysis of feces indicated vegetarian diet. One can’t make any assumption from it alone; together, to me it doesn’t quite look like a regular person from the base.

However, I have another question. How are emergencies handled at military bases? Say, water pipes have broken. Would someone ship in plumbers from home, or invite local ones? What about house maids? Gardeners? I don’t know about bases close to Tokyo; at local ones, one had a stable with horses. Horses, animals on the base, who would take care of them? I have the feeling that the biggest denominator connecting to the base being the Mojave sand, it could have been of mundane origin. (I Googled “desert sand” in Amazon, to find out it is sold in bags for garden work. They didn’t specify the origin, though. Just an example).

To me, it would look like in affluent Setagaya, a foreigner, even an Asian-American, would have been noticed. Since he bought items not too far, this is the first thing that would have been said. If doing the laundry in a non-traditional way is a big issue, imagine how a person with an accent, or an Asian-American would have stood out.

P.S. remembered that we often play mini-golf on our way south past a local base. One more source of sand if there was a mini-gold field. Just an example.

 

[evilwise]

That's an interesting thought, evilwise.

Are the actual clothes modelled by the TMPD on the mannikin in their press releases? I'm assuming that was replica stuff from the same manufacturers and so on. Like I said to Jade just now, I would love to know what *actual* condition the clothes were in that the killer left them in (beyond covered in blood, of course).

Isn't this the actual shirt?

Honestly asking since it's harder for me to sort through what's first hand reporting and what's re-reporting when it's in Asiatic languages.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Isn't this the actual shirt?
View attachment 334640 View attachment 334641
Honestly asking since it's harder for me to sort through what's first hand reporting and what's re-reporting when it's in Asiatic languages.

If this is the actual shirt then they must have washed a great deal of blood out of it?! Surely, it makes more sense to use a double.

I know what you mean re: the language barrier. One of the biggest challenges in making this podcast.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Much depends on when they did ancestral DNA testing.

I looked up. In 2000, ancestral tests that were available were 11 markers of Y-chromosome STR test and mitochondrial HVR1 (part of modern full mito) test.

First use of autosomal DNA for ancestral tests was started by 23@me in 2007.

So if the first statement of Tokyo police about the murderer’s ethnicity was made before 2007, chances are, they tested Y and mitochondrial DNA.

The potential mistakes in interpreting the results in this case are obvious.

Both mitochondrial DNA and Y might be passed unchanged for generations and generations. Of course, they are subject to mutations, but when they happen, with what frequency, is random. So if mitochondrial DNA indicates that someone in the maternal line was from Adriatic region, it could have been 500 years ago.

Same with Y. Let us assume it is Asian. But it is passed from grandpa to father to son…looking at Y, you can not assume that the man is Asian. You can only say that one of direct male forbearers was Asian. Maybe 20 generations ago.

Now, if the statement about the man being European on maternal line and Asian on paternal was made later, closer to 2010, it becomes more interesting. It is possible that by that time, the researchers were able to study the man’s autosomal DNA.

Let us imagine, that autosomal ethnicity is 50/50 European/Asian (IRL, close to 52/48 in men as Y chromosome is very small). And X chromosome, that a man gets from his mother, is all European. And Y is Asian. Then, they are likely right. Mother European, father - Asian. If the European component is only ~ 25% (could be 18-30 or close to it), then, it was likely one grandparent, or maybe, two great-grandparents. (It becomes more complicated, as, after all, both parents could be half-Asian, half-European, but in principle, autosomal testing could tell more about maternal/paternal ethnicity.)


P.S. Sorry, I missed 2005. In 2005, chances are, they had only Y 11-STR and part of mitochondrial genome. I left the part about autosomal DNA, because it might still be relevant. Today, they can find out a lot more, from the same DNA )).

Fantastic post, thank you.

What you're saying is very similar to discussions I've had with experts in the field. Essentially, it *could* mean this but it also could very well not mean it. And, as you say, it depends on when they were doing these analyses.

What I think is very pertinent is that on the TMPD info appeal (still live today) never mentions DNA in any way shape or form. As I posted last night, this case is not listed on their website as one where they think the killer fled abroad. If we excluded all reporting on this case and went only on police materials and press releases, there wouldn't be a huge amount pointing to a foreigner or even someone with international connections. There is mention of the shoes and their connection but that's about it. No mention of sand when discussing the hip bag, and so on.

Could this be that the DNA 'discovery' is now seen in a different light?

Could it be they simply want to keep information re: DNA back for themselves?

Could it be that as the DNA is in the process of being re-examined using modern techniques, they want to keep mention of it out of the spotlight?

I have no idea.

 

[Cryptic]

If the perpetrator was described as “of slim built”, I assume, it is Japanese slim built; a US-born “slim built” would look rather heavy-boned in Japan. Also, the analysis of feces indicated vegetarian diet. One can’t make any assumption from it alone; together, to me it doesn’t quite look like a regular person from the base.

Thanks for the reinforcement. I agree, nothing is certain, but the totality of diet, clothing, body frame, Japanese fluency just does not seem to imply an American Asian.

To me, it would look like in affluent Setagaya, a foreigner, even an Asian-American, would have been noticed.

I also agree. Though it would depend on the level of interaction.

But... if he scouted the target, inquired about is residency, had interactions with store clerks, skaters etc., I think an American Asian would be noticed. This would not involve blaring sirens, but simply noted as being "different".

Anecdotally, I am white American. I have been quickly identified by locals in rural New Mexico and rural Arkansas as being a "outsider " based on a totality of accent, mannerisms, clothing, grammar, presumed ethnicity- 0r lack of.

With one friendly Hispano giving me a ride back to my stranded car in NM, my Spanish fluency gave me away. The place name where my car was had been anglicized. I pronounced it correctly in Spanish- none of the locals did. His next question: Where are you from?

However, I have another question. How are emergencies handled at military bases? Say, water pipes have broken. Would someone ship in plumbers from home, or invite local ones? What about house maids? Gardeners?

It could vary by the base.

On the bases that I have lived on both in the US and overseas, residential plumbers electricians, appliance repairman, gardeners, custodians etc. were locals from off base provided by a contracting company. (Americans in US, Germans in Germany, Turks in Turkey etc.)

The contractors had permits to be able to enter the base to work, but did not live on it. As a side note, the pay was good and the work light (need to keep on good terms with the locals). So, the positions could be sought after by locals.

But.....

I have an impression that with foreign bases, maintenance work directly in US military buildings was done by contracted US citizens residing on the base and not by contracted locals. Militaries operate on a "need to know" basis. Even citizens of friendly countries might not truly "need to know" about the inside of a military building.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

But.... given the totality of: Asian derived clothing (one possible "sand" exception), apparent fluency in written and spoken Japanese, apparent fondness for Japanese food and I am thinking culturally Asian as well as genetically Asian and therefore less likely to be from the base.

Another great post, Cryptic!

Yeah, I think until we know exactly what the DNA is saying based on the latest techniques via TMPD releases, this can only ever be speculation and that's really frustrating. I totally understand not sharing genetic material from a live investigation, I just very much hope that they are seeking the latest techniques across the globe in order to achieve the above.

As for the clothing, when I've spent time in Japan, I've also bought clothes locally and eaten local food. Assuming what was said in 2005 about him *actually* being Asian, on any level is correct, then we still don't know if he's from Setagaya or South London or San Diego.

I know that the connection between the killer and Yokota is mere speculation on my part. But assuming the link to Edwards AB is legit then we would need your ethnically and culturally Asian male to have both a reason (and the ability) to get into a secured facility which I know for a fact a civilian can't just walk into. If this sand evidence turns out to be a red herring, then of course this idea falls apart!

 

[Jade]

Sorry for the drop and run postings but meant to reply to this thought:

Begin Faceless quote​

But I'm curious as to why they think cleaning the clothes in a Korean way makes him Korean but buying clothes in Japan doesn't make him Japanese? ​

End quote​

Because of the nationalism of Japan?


This article is about culinary appropriation but it is very informative.

Diaspora, Exclusion and Appropriation: The Cuisine of the Korean Minority in Japan


Also:

https://minorityrights.org/minorities/koreans/


All imo

 

[Angleterre]

Pretty sure blood has DNA in it

Yes of course it does
I’m not explaining myself properly I guess
It’s just that there are different aspects of DNA that contribute more than others to specific information for example information Re heritage

 

[Cryptic]

As for the clothing, when I've spent time in Japan, I've also bought clothes locally and eaten local food....

Thats because you spent time in Japan.

As you noted, US bases are miniature American cities with US groceries, restaurants, department stores, schools etc. All of this tends to either maintain US culture in the case of an American Asian, or a drift towards US culture in the case of a mixed marriage American Asian- Japanese.

There are exceptions. In Germany, I remember a teh children of a US soldier "homesteader" who married a German and lived off base. The children were 100% bilingual, but culturally German (did not even know what a "GI Joe" doll was, did not play our sports, use our slang, wear US brand clothing etc).

But.... deep bi cultural exceptions tend to be rare as they take time to develop. The military does not like extending the 3-5 year tour of servicemen. Extensions can be given, but the military frowns on "Homesteading" (multiple extensions by servicemen).

Thus, such kids like I knew tend to stand out. In the end, given the concern about crime and US bases, I have a feeling that if the TMPD told the base commander: "We are interested in US citizen, Asian males connected to the base who also appear to be highly acculturated to Japan- help us out"

I think discreet inquiries to unit commanders, school principal etc. would come up with the few number of "homesteaders" and long term contractors. But... there would probably be far more American Asians with a lot less connection to any Asian culture, language, etc.

 

[evilwise]

If this is the actual shirt then they must have washed a great deal of blood out of it?! Surely, it makes more sense to use a double.

I know what you mean re: the language barrier. One of the biggest challenges in making this podcast.

It seems to be bloodstained, especially on the back. Might the killer have tried to wash his clothes there in the house before giving up and taking the dad's? That would seem to be at odds with the son that the clothes were washed in hard water right? But maybe it was the condition of the clothes that caused them to say they were washed in hard water. Maybe he just put a bunch of bleach in with them.

This avenue does seem like pretty wild speculation but if he had just washed his clothes it might explain why he folded them, out of habit.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

If the perpetrator was described as “of slim built”, I assume, it is Japanese slim built; a US-born “slim built” would look rather heavy-boned in Japan. Also, the analysis of feces indicated vegetarian diet.

I think his waist is 70-75cm which puts him at 28-30 inches. That would make him a Small in the US. But he also wears a size L on his shirt and jacket, I think.

As for the diet being vegetarian, where are you seeing that? (If it's the Birth of Blue Light Yokohama article, you can ignore that -- I wrote that years ago). To my knowledge, the only thing that is certain about his diet is that he last ate string beans with sesame.

However, I have another question. How are emergencies handled at military bases? Say, water pipes have broken. Would someone ship in plumbers from home, or invite local ones? What about house maids? Gardeners?

Unfortunately, I have no idea what they would do. I'm assuming most problems like this could be handled in-house. That said, I believe Yokota, while a US airbase, is a joint situation with local peace keeping forces? It's quite possible a local contractor would be brought in too? No idea, in short.

I have the feeling that the biggest denominator connecting to the base being the Mojave sand, it could have been of mundane origin. (I Googled “desert sand” in Amazon, to find out it is sold in bags for garden work. They didn’t specify the origin, though. Just an example).

It's true that the sand could have come from anywhere, yes. Though as I've said before, the hip bag is from Osaka and the production run begins in September 1995 and ends in January 1999. So, if the killer has no connection to an American air base, whether in Japan or elsewhere, in those 3 and a half years, the bag would need to have left Japan, travelled to a military air base in a remote part of California, then travelled back to Japan where it's picked up by the killer. Maybe he steals it or finds it. That's possible, of course. (Though, from the sounds of it, it doesn't really jive with a guy who's buying brand new jackets and brand new knives).

I've spoken with sand experts and they've told it's very possible to pinpoint the origin of sand. It really doesn't seem as if the sand would have been from a golf bunker or some such. So, unless I'm missing something here (very possible) for the sand to be a red herring, we're relying on the Japanese media to have just made up the link to Edwards.

To me, it would look like in affluent Setagaya, a foreigner, even an Asian-American, would have been noticed. Since he bought items not too far, this is the first thing that would have been said. If doing the laundry in a non-traditional way is a big issue, imagine how a person with an accent, or an Asian-American would have stood out.

P.S. remembered that we often play mini-golf on our way south past a local base. One more source of sand if there was a mini-gold field. Just an example.

I agree with you, a foreigner or a hafu would have been noticed. My mixed-race Japanese friend was just telling me yesterday, had he been walking around Setagaya in the year 2000, he would definitely have been noticed by someone. But this is assuming that the killer was walking about at a time of day when anyone would've seen him. If he leaves the house at 4am, it's quite possible nobody saw him. As for him buying the knife, if it's true he did it himself and there's even CCTV of this moment, then presumably the police would have seen what kind of interaction they'd had / whether or not the killer spoke to the cashier. Then again, in Japan it would be quite possible to pick something off the shelf, put it on the check out counter, put your money down, and say nothing. The alternative is that the CCTV is a misunderstanding or a simply a rumour. I hope it's not!

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Thanks for the reinforcement. I agree, nothing is certain, but the totality of diet, clothing, body frame, Japanese fluency just does not seem to imply an American Asian.

I also agree. Though it would depend on the level of interaction.

But... if he scouted the target, inquired about is residency, had interactions with store clerks, skaters etc., I think an American Asian would be noticed. This would not involve blaring sirens, but simply noted as being "different".

Totally agree, it depends on his level of interaction. Particularly in the area of Ogikubo nearby. We know 5 of the 10 items he wore were available in that area, just a couple of miles from the Miyazawa's house. 5/10 is too high a number for me to accept simple coincidence. I'm certain the TMPD would feel the same and would've flooded the area in their investigation.

M/X, the clothes store, is sadly now defunct. But clearly, the killer either liked that store or maybe he simply found it convenient as was near the station I believe. (Incidentally, it's 50 minutes away on the direct Chūō Line from Yokota's nearest train station, Fussa).

Assuming the killer bought his things in cash and that he visually passes as Japanese (or even just Asian), if he's not much of a conversationalist, it's quite possible he just slipped through unnoticed. This would still mean he could have been a native of Setagaya or San Diego or Scranton.

It could vary by the base.

On the bases that I have lived on both in the US and overseas, residential plumbers electricians, appliance repairman, gardeners, custodians etc. were locals from off base provided by a contracting company. (Americans in US, Germans in Germany, Turks in Turkey etc.)

The contractors had permits to be able to enter the base to work, but did not live on it. As a side note, the pay was good and the work light (need to keep on good terms with the locals). So, the positions could be sought after by locals.

Interesting! Quite possible that a local around the Fussa area had access to the air base through this? (And his own connections to Korea).

Anecdotally, I am white American. I have been quickly identified by locals in rural New Mexico and rural Arkansas as being a "outsider " based on a totality of accent, mannerisms, clothing, grammar, presumed ethnicity- 0r lack of.

With one friendly Hispano giving me a ride back to my stranded car in NM, my Spanish fluency gave me away.

I liked this story, Cryptic

To return the anecdote, my father is from Spain but I grew up, since childhood, in London. I still visited Spain annually each summer and sometimes Christmas. However, I never rented an apartment, had a bank account there, very minimal paper trail. When I'm in London speaking in English, I pass for English. When I'm in Spain speaking in Spanish, I pass for Spanish. Our killer could well fall anywhere on the scale of fluency, local nous, familiarity with Japanese culture/customs.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Sorry for the drop and run postings but meant to reply to this thought:

Begin Faceless quote​

But I'm curious as to why they think cleaning the clothes in a Korean way makes him Korean but buying clothes in Japan doesn't make him Japanese? ​

End quote​

Because of the nationalism of Japan?


This article is about culinary appropriation but it is very informative.

Diaspora, Exclusion and Appropriation: The Cuisine of the Korean Minority in Japan


Also:

Koreans - Minority Rights Group


All imo

Reminds me of the Jack the Ripper murders where there was a prevailing concept that it simply was not possible for the killer to be an Englishman...

Seems there will always be the temptation to point to foreigners or outsiders in search of blame.

 

[FacelessPodcast]

I should preface all of this by saying that the military connection is just my pet theory and that I don't have a strong basis for leaning towards it. I am open to any reality! However, just as I don't have big evidence pointing towards a US serviceman, nor do I think there's a huge amount discounting the possibility.

Thats because you spent time in Japan.

As you noted, US bases are miniature American cities with US groceries, restaurants, department stores, schools etc. All of this tends to either maintain US culture in the case of an American Asian, or a drift towards US culture in the case of a mixed marriage American Asian- Japanese.

Why would any of that prevent the killer from venturing off-base? Either for clothes or food? If he's a bored teenager, is it not possible he got tired of Jimmy Johns and Old Navy? Particularly if he does speak Japanese.

In the end, given the concern about crime and US bases, I have a feeling that if the TMPD told the base commander: "We are interested in US citizen, Asian males connected to the base who also appear to be highly acculturated to Japan- help us out"

I think discreet inquiries to unit commanders, school principal etc. would come up with the few number of "homesteaders" and long term contractors. But... there would probably be far more American Asians with a lot less connection to any Asian culture, language, etc.

I do agree that there likely would have been cooperation between TMPD and US military in the event that the former had a concrete suspicion about a specific male. Especially because I know there have been problems before involving American servicemen in that area (something that has been backed up by sources who've spoken to us that work in the legal field there).

Yokota security forces, Japanese police target Fussa’s notorious Bar Row with joint patrol

Fussa City dispute is investigated

However, journalists in Japan have told me that if the TMPD didn't have a concrete and specific suspicion --basically a name-- it would have possibly been very difficult for cops to begin even considering how to gain access to a US air base and start making enquiries. I imagine the fact that the killer would almost certainly receive the death penalty once apprehended would also be a factor.

Now, I know nothing about the military here but, as far as I understand it, a serviceman can be detained by military police before local authorities?

"So far, the assemblies of 13 of the 31 communities around Yokota Air Base have voted to review and alter SOFA. One of the privileges of the agreement many Japanese want changed is the right of U.S. troops to be detained by U.S. military police instead of local authorities until formally indicted."

A case in which three American servicemen were indicted... - UPI Archives

And of course, this is going on the assumption that he himself is acting military. What if the killer was just a school boy? Would it really be that easy for TMPD to start going through the list of problem kids at Yokota High?

 

[FacelessPodcast]

It seems to be bloodstained, especially on the back. Might the killer have tried to wash his clothes there in the house before giving up and taking the dad's? That would seem to be at odds with the son that the clothes were washed in hard water right? But maybe it was the condition of the clothes that caused them to say they were washed in hard water. Maybe he just put a bunch of bleach in with them.

This avenue does seem like pretty wild speculation but if he had just washed his clothes it might explain why he folded them, out of habit.

Yes, that's a good point -- I'd never considered the possibility that he tried to wash his stuff before having to leave it behind.

 

[vls12345]

Was he waiting on the washing machine, hence his extended stay in the house?

I don't think he would have used much bleach because I think the dark sleeves on the shirt would have been affected if that were the case. In the photo, they look uniformly dark. The neckline does too.

Perhaps he wore the dark coat zipped up all the way during the killings, mostly protecting the shirt?

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Was he waiting on the washing machine, hence his extended stay in the house?

I don't think he would have used much bleach because I think the dark sleeves on the shirt would have been affected if that were the case. In the photo, they look uniformly dark. The neckline does too.

Perhaps he wore the dark coat zipped up all the way during the killings, mostly protecting the shirt?

Yes, that's quite possible.

Though I'm not sure it would have been his sole reason to stay in the house after the murders? It seems to me that if he's leaving behind a fair amount of blood, patching himself up was probably his first concern. Then, he's thirsty and hungry. If he's trying to wash his clothes, it's probably in conjunction with these other actions. Because I suppose if he leaves at 1:23am, it's still dark, he could splash some water on his dark jacket to get any obvious bloodstains off then just zip it up over himself and leave in the night?