Kobe Killer Allegedly Follows Woman Before Fatal Attack

Aug 25, 2025 | News On Japan

KOBE - A man arrested on suspicion of killing a resident in a Kobe apartment had tailed her for more than 30 minutes before the attack, including boarding the same train, according to investigators.

Masashi Tanimoto, a 35-year-old company employee from Tokyo, is suspected of fatally stabbing Megumi Katayama, 24, multiple times with a knife at her apartment building in Chuo Ward, Kobe, on August 20.

Tanimoto has denied intending to kill, investigators said.

It was previously known that he followed Katayama as she returned from work; authorities now say the tailing lasted more than 30 minutes.

Katayama traveled by train from Nishi-Motomachi Station to Kobe-Sannomiya Station, and security cameras at both stations captured Tanimoto, indicating he boarded the same train.

Before heading home, Katayama stopped at a supermarket, where nearby surveillance cameras also recorded Tanimoto.

No prior connection between the two has been identified so far, and police are investigating the motive.

Source: FNN

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