Man Accused of Attempted Murder Goes Missing From Hospital

Aug 18, 2026 | News On Japan

HOKKAIDO - A 77-year-old man charged with attempted murder has gone missing after apparently leaving a hospital in Hakodate, Hokkaido, where he had been admitted for medical treatment, prompting prosecutors and police to search for him.

The missing man is Kiyoshi Okawa, an unemployed resident of Hakodate.

Okawa was indicted in July on a charge of attempted murder after allegedly striking his wife several times in the head with a hammer.

According to prosecutors, Okawa had been detained at a facility in Hakodate but was admitted to Hakodate Central General Hospital on August 16 for treatment of an illness.

He is believed to have gone missing around the evening of the same day.

Prosecutors have not disclosed the circumstances under which Okawa left the hospital.

No new offenses involving Okawa have been confirmed so far, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors and police are continuing efforts to locate him.

Source: TBS

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