Japanese police arrested a 49-year-old woman after she used a needle and thread to sew her roommate's mouth shut. The victim managed to escape and seek help, leading to the arrest.
Local Japanese media reported on Wednesday, 8 Jul 2026 GMT+7, that a 49-year-old woman from Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture, was arrested by police after sewing her roommate's lips together. The victim successfully escaped and asked for assistance.
According to NHK news citing police sources, Masae Sakurai was arrested on Monday, 6 Jul 2026 GMT+7, suspected of assaulting her 42-year-old roommate by sewing her mouth shut with needle and thread.
The incident occurred on 29 June 2026 GMT+7 at their residence. Police revealed the victim escaped on 30 June and ran to a nearby store, where she handed over a note asking for help because she could not speak due to her mouth being sewn shut.
The victim told police she was initially unable to escape out of fear of harm from her roommate but took the opportunity to flee when Sakurai was away from home.
It is believed the two women had lived together since April last year. Police are investigating their relationship as well as the motive and details of the incident.
Meanwhile, an acquaintance of Sakurai told TV Asahi that Sakurai often allowed people who had run away from home to stay at her place and helped them find work, suggesting many people rotated through her home over different periods.
Source:japantimes