Key Points
Former postal worker Fukutomari Kenta sentenced to 16 years for murder and body disposal in March 2025.
Court found strong, sustained intent to kill despite lack of premeditation in crime.
Victim was 37-year-old woman from Kobe; defendant strangled her after dispute in Tokushima park.
Body buried in Naka Town mountain; judge rejected self-protection claim as mitigating factor.
A Tokushima court sentenced a 46-year-old former postal worker to 16 years in prison on June 3 for murdering a woman and burying her body in a mountain. The defendant, Fukutomari Kenta, killed a 37-year-old woman from Kobe after a dispute in March 2025. The case demonstrates Japan’s criminal justice system holding offenders accountable for violent crimes and disposal of remains.
How the Crime Unfolded
Fukutomari and the victim argued in a park in Tokushima City on March 2025. He strangled her to death, then transported her body to a mountain in Naka Town and buried it. Police later discovered the remains and arrested him. The victim had warned him she would tell his family about their relationship, which he wanted to end.
What the Judge Found
The court ruled that Fukutomari acted with strong, sustained intent to kill despite lacking a detailed plan beforehand. Judge Oki Atsuko stated the defendant showed ‘strong and continuous murderous intent’ by continuing to strangle the victim as she resisted. The judge rejected arguments that his motivation—self-protection—reduced his culpability.
Sentence and Legal Outcome
Prosecutors sought 17 years. The Tokushima District Court imposed 16 years instead, citing the absence of premeditation as a mitigating factor. The sentence is now final unless appealed. Fukutomari must serve the full term without parole eligibility during the first portion of his sentence.
Final Thoughts
A Tokushima court sentenced a former postal worker to 16 years for strangling a woman and burying her body. The ruling shows Japan’s courts impose substantial penalties for violent crimes and body disposal, even when premeditation is absent.
FAQs
The judge found the crime lacked premeditation, reducing the sentence by one year. However, the court determined strong, sustained intent to kill was present.
The victim was a 37-year-old woman from Kobe with whom Fukutomari had a personal relationship. She threatened to tell his family when he wanted to end it.
Police discovered the body buried in a mountain in Naka Town, Tokushima Prefecture following the defendant’s arrest.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
About Author

Danny Kontos
Co FounderDanny Kontos has been a stock investor since 2007 and co-founded Meyka in 2023. He keeps a small, focused portfolio and only moves when the numbers are hard to argue with. He has waited years on a single position before. Before Meyka, he ran a web hosting company and a mortgage lending platform, so he knows what a well-run business actually looks like under the hood. This article did not come from a news cycle. It came from someone who has been watching this space for a long time.
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