Man arrested for 2006 murder of 18-year-old woman in Nagasaki

Friday 15th August, 05:23 PM JST

NAGASAKI —

A 29-year-old man was arrested, on Thursday, for killing a 18-year-old woman at a love hotel in Nagasaki City, Nagsaki Prefecture, in November of 2006, police said Friday.

Yoshihiro Shibata, 29, was arrested for allegedly strangling Erina Kataoka, 18, and stealing a few thousand yen and her mobile phone at around 11:30 p.m. on November 27, 2006. He had been arrested in connection with another crime and, according to the police, has admitted to the murder. Police say Shibata’s car was seen by witnesses near the crime scene at the time of the murder.

Shibata is quoted by police as saying, “I just needed some money.” Police said Shibata was several million yen in debt at the time of the incident.

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Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

pandachan at 02:45 AM JST - 16th August

Her phone...? Wow, this one goes into the dumb criminal category.
kjunluc2 at 06:05 AM JST - 16th August

****I wonder if he got more than he paid for the hotel room.

Over the past 63 years I have spent several long tours in Japan, 50s, 60s and 80s. I've witnessed her growing from probably the most crime-free country on the planet to today's crime-ridden.

Money, money, money. And the population has doubled over the past 60 years.
8iamhappy8 at 07:55 AM JST - 16th August

Over the past 63 years I have spent several long tours in Japan, 50s, 60s and 80s. I've witnessed her growing from probably the most crime-free country on the planet to today's crime-ridden.

Money, money, money. And the population has doubled over the past 60 years.

She was crime free when her stock market index was at an all-time high. The 10% average annual gain rule no longer applies to the Tokyo Stock Exchange...
martyman at 10:47 AM JST - 16th August

He probably is in much more debt now and still can’t pay, so he decided to turn himself in for a life sentence. Thus insuring the loan sharks will not be able to get a hold of him to make his life a bit more painful.

Criminals like him will continue to infest the earth until they are caught. Legal justice or natural justice will catch up them eventually.
seansezso at 02:10 PM JST - 16th August

****I wonder if he got more than he paid for the hotel room.

I wonder if he paid. There are ways around, and if you have just committed murder, those methods are incredibly small potatoes.
Eizenhauer at 08:24 PM JST - 16th August

Execution is the only medicine for scum like this. He took a life of an 18 years old teenager!!! He should die slowly in a same fashion as he brutally murdered this child, strangling her without any humanity inside him. Confession alone shouldn't be a cause to look through this crime with any simpathy. Her blood is screaming for the justice.
Daniel_Basso at 09:32 PM JST - 16th August

Japan is still among the lowest crime rates in the world...
serindipity at 12:58 AM JST - 17th August

Another confession? Makes the J-cops look good, doesn't it?

At least it's another loony less on the streets. It will be interesting to see if he pleads, "I'm nuts!" and goes off to a nursing home or if he will face the noose.
kimigano at 05:30 PM JST - 17th August

Daniel Basso:

Not just among the lowest, Japan is the lowest. It is the safest country in the world.
seimei at 11:21 AM JST - 18th August

kimigano - With the rate that murders go in the JT crime section, I think Japan cannot claim that title anymore.
Beelzebub at 11:32 AM JST - 18th August

And the population has doubled over the past 60 years.

Kjunluc2, most of that growth took place in immediate postwar (baby boomers) and mid-60s (so-called "dankai junior"). Due to postwar deprivation and social upheavals, Japan's crime rates including murders and juvenile crimes, were much higher in the late 1940s early 1950s than they are now.
dennis0bauer at 03:15 PM JST - 18th August

kimigano; Not just among the lowest, Japan is the lowest. It is the safest country in the world.

I guess that would mean lowest reported crime rate. I wonder how much is not reported because of shame or yakuza related crimes
KaptainKichigai at 04:18 PM JST - 18th August

Love hotel security cameras, stolen cell phone, a hands on murder with eye witnesses identifying the car.... and solved in only 2 years! great job J cops! I feel safer already! Case-closed!,
kimigano at 01:18 AM JST - 19th August

I wonder how much is not reported because of shame or yakuza related crimes

Zero. It's not reported, so you can't prove it exists.

Add up all the unreported crimes in other countries due to the same reasons and Japan probably gets even safer in comparison.
rezzoro at 11:42 AM JST - 20th October

What's that girl doing in a love motel with this loser in the first place?