In a previous Blurb I mentioned the murder of British girl Lindsay Ann Hawker in Tokyo. This story is pretty common knowledge by now, but today Japan Today has released footage of Ichihashi, the prime suspect in the case. The footage itself is actually from before the murder, but is a clear enough image to try and raise public awareness.

This however is not the point I am writing about. In a related article, Akio Kuroki, a former police sergeant made crime journalist and book author has submitted an article detailing the incompetence of police in Japan, and the many cover-ups and dirty work that goes on. I'm not saying this is something only found in Japan, as its obviously apparent the world over, but its still an interesting read.

For example, the police claimed that Ichihashi was barefoot when he made his getaway. But one of the suspect’s shoes was found in the backyard of a nearby residence, and the same homeowner found the other shoe on the pavement 10 meters away. The police report is also contradicted by an eyewitness account. A neighbor heard someone yelling, “There he is!” and, when looking outside, believes it was the police struggling to catch Ichihashi.

So why have the police never mentioned these facts? Because if they acknowledged the truth, they would have to admit they twice failed to capture the suspect. And not only did the police fail to arrest Ichihashi, but their statement about him fleeing barefoot would be exposed as a lie.

In Japan, a foreign woman who goes missing for one day is, unfortunately, not enough to get the police moving.

......

Before she was murdered, Hawker had reported to the police that she was being stalked, and she asked for their help. That’s the prime reason why the police began their investigation so soon after receiving a call from Hawker’s friend.