Woman arrested near Tokyo for sewing roommate's lips shut, victim escaped with 'Help' note
A 49-year-old woman was arrested in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, after allegedly using a needle and thread to sew her 42-year-old roommate's lips shut following an argument. The victim fled to a nearby store holding a handwritten 'Help' note.
The attack
On 29 June 2026, a 49-year-old woman named Masai Sakurai allegedly sewed her 42-year-old female roommate's lips shut with a needle and thread after a disagreement at their home in Koga, a city in Ibaraki Prefecture near Tokyo. Police arrested Sakurai on Monday, 6 July, on suspicion of assault.
the victim told police, according to public broadcaster NHK.She got angry after a disagreement and sewed my lips shut,
Escape and rescue
The victim managed to leave the house and fled to a neighbouring store, clutching a piece of paper on which she had written the word 'Help'. A local police officer said the woman sought refuge there before authorities were alerted.
Arrest and investigation
Ibaraki Prefectural Police arrested Masai Sakurai, 49, on Monday, 6 July, a week after the alleged incident. A police spokesperson confirmed the suspect lived with the victim at the time. Authorities are also looking into unverified information that a third person may have been residing in the house. The investigation is ongoing.
