62-year-old Gunma man arrested for beating sleeping wife to death

Saturday 25th July, 11:03 AM JST

TAKASAKI —

A 62-year-old company executive was arrested Friday on suspicion of fatally assaulting his wife while she slept, punching her in the face during the early morning hours, at their home in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. According to police, Takanari Saito beat his wife Kimiyo, 60, after coming home drunk.

Saito was quoted as saying: “I came home after a night out drinking and couldn’t find the key that is always left at the entrance. I repeatedly knocked on the door, but she just kept on sleeping and didn’t come open it for me. I got mad at her.”

At 2:35 a.m., police received a call from Saito himself reporting that his wife was dead. They rushed to the home to find Kimiyo lying unconscious in the second floor bedroom. She was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Living in the home at the time besides Saito and his wife, were his mother, 88, and their second oldest son, 28.

News reports

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Latest 15 of 16 Total Comments Show All

smartacus at 11:30 AM JST - 25th July

I didn't think people still left their keys under the flowerpot or wherever at the entrance in this day and age. I wonder how the guy got in. In his mood, he probably kicked in the door.
Azrael at 02:56 PM JST - 25th July

Alcoholism is still a taboo topic in Japan along with mental illness. I hope the murdered woman may rest in peace. Her killer husband needs both imprisonment and treatment for his addiction.
tamesu at 03:34 PM JST - 25th July

that's right..."keep it in the family"
sunny117 at 03:55 PM JST - 25th July

I wonder whether there had ever been an enemity between the two ..........which resurfaced during those moments of state of drunkness.......
FineDiner at 03:56 PM JST - 25th July

Such is the power of alcohol. If only he was stoned he would have looked at the night sky all night and written poetry for her.
bamboohat at 04:18 PM JST - 25th July

and their second oldest son, 28

so where was junior during all this? cowering under the covers?
bobbafett at 04:45 PM JST - 25th July

so where was junior during all this?

still out drinking.

couldn’t find the key that is always left at the entrance

no wonder she didn't leave the key out.
Pukey2 at 04:46 PM JST - 25th July

Doesn't this idiot have his own set of keys? i've carried my own since I was a young kid.
Disillusioned at 10:02 PM JST - 25th July

She should have locked this loon out of the house many years ago.
koneko22 at 05:48 AM JST - 26th July

Shameful drunk executive....too drunk to find his keys....beat, "knocked" the door....did he expect his 88 year old mother to let him in....my sympathies to his wife's family, his aged mother and their children...How did he find his way home ???? Drunk Auto Pilot System ???
ironchef at 10:35 AM JST - 26th July

i swear every other crime in Japan is caused by drinking. People can't handle their liquor here.
bcbrownboy at 06:51 PM JST - 26th July

Not saying he's right, but I can relate . . . at this point in time.
Eizenhauer at 10:25 PM JST - 26th July

Pure woman, she didn't even have time to wake up and realize what was happening, her monstrous killer husband had no mercy, he kept punching her until he used up all his force. This monstrous crime must be punished properly, i mean at least 20 years in prison without parole...
TheguyNextdoor at 01:28 PM JST - 27th July

Damn, this is truely a sad story....WTF!? Where are your keys old man....damn beating your wife to death as she slept, what a coward!
womanforwomen at 02:34 PM JST - 27th July

Were some demons from some horror place trafficked into Jland for eerie things like this to happen. The age of these people, a woman who is taking care of an elderly killed while sleeping..