Tokyo Couple's Burned Bodies Found, Man Arrested for Alleged Involvement

Hikaru Sasaki, a 28-year-old man, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the torching of the bodies of a Tokyo couple, Ryutaro and Sachiko Takarajima, found near a river in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture. Sasaki claims he received directions from someone else to dispose of the bodies.

According to investigators, Sasaki contacted construction worker Ryoken Hirayama, 25, who has also been arrested for damaging the bodies, at an 'izakaya' eatery in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward, and they left the store together. Sasaki is suspected of giving Hirayama instructions for disposing of the bodies and preparing necessary equipment, while claiming he did not know the couple.

The police are investigating whether another individual gave orders to Sasaki. A joint investigation team of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the Tochigi prefectural police are looking into whether another individual gave instructions to Sasaki. The police have not confirmed any links between Sasaki and the victims.

Sasaki was arrested in Okinawa Prefecture on April 29th, and a witness described him as seeming surprised and being immediately taken away by about 14 or 15 officers. Sasaki, along with accomplices, is accused of setting fire to the bodies of the couple on April 16th and was sent for prosecution on the morning of April 30th.

Why this matters: This gruesome crime has shocked the local community and raised concerns about public safety. The investigation into the alleged involvement of multiple individuals and the possibility of a mastermind behind the crime underscores the complexity of the case and the need for a thorough probe to bring all those responsible to justice.

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently analyzing several mobile phones found in Sasaki's possession. Investigators have revealed that Sasaki had instructed Hirayama on how to dispose of the bodies, but Sasaki claims that there is "yet another director" involved in the crime. The bodies of Ryutaro Takarajima, 55, and his wife Sachiko, 56, were found burned near a river in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, on April 16. Police believe the couple were assaulted at a residence in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward and then taken to Tochigi Prefecture.

Key Takeaways

• Hikaru Sasaki, 28, arrested for torching Tokyo couple's bodies
• Sasaki claims he received disposal instructions from another person
• Sasaki contacted Ryoken Hirayama, 25, to help dispose of bodies
• Police investigating if another individual gave orders to Sasaki
• Gruesome crime shocks local community, raises public safety concerns