Taiwan Detains Husband Over Wife’s Stabbing at Japan Hotel

A court in Taiwan has approved the detention of a man suspected of involvement in the death of his wife, whose Fujikawaguchiko stabbing at a hotel in Japan on Oct 19 is also under investigation by Japanese police, prosecutors said on Tuesday (Oct 27).

The Tainan District Court approved the request on Monday (Oct 26) to detain the man, surnamed Lee, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency. Prosecutors had sought his detention on Oct 25, citing concern that he could flee or destroy evidence.

Fujikawaguchiko stabbing suspect held in Japan

The victim, a Taiwanese woman surnamed Ching, was found fatally stabbed at a hotel in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture. She had been travelling with a Taiwanese tour group, and hotel staff went to check on her after she missed a group outing.

Japanese police arrested a 27-year-old Taiwanese woman surnamed Yang, who was in the same tour group. According to Japanese media cited by CNA, she was in the room and was found with a kitchen knife, and is being held on suspicion of violating Japan’s Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law.

Japanese police are still looking into the relationship between the two women and have released no further details.

Insurance policies and contact records

Senior prosecutor Wang Sheng-hao of the Tainan District Prosecutors Office told a video briefing on Tuesday that Lee is suspected of involvement in the apparent murder of his wife, as well as attempted fraud.

Prosecutors found that Lee had taken out two travel insurance policies on Ching before her death, worth NT$10 million (US$307,524) and NT$20 million. Lee travelled to Japan after her death to handle funeral arrangements and was arrested on the evening of Oct 24 when he returned to Taiwan. Investigators searched seven locations, including his home, on Oct 24 and 25.

Prosecutors also found records of contact between Lee and Yang, the person Japan suspects of carrying out the killing. Their alleged coordination and respective roles remain under investigation.

Tainan prosecutors opened their probe on Oct 22 at the request of the International Affairs Division of Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau. Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice said on Tuesday that prosecutors had not yet asked Japan for judicial assistance, adding that it would handle any such request in line with the law and stay in contact with Japanese agencies.

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