Takadanobaba Stabbing Verdict Set for July 15 as Court Details Brutal Attack

The Tokyo District Court will deliver a verdict on July 15 in the Takadanobaba stabbing case. Kenichi Takano, 44, admits to fatally stabbing livestreamer Airi Sato, 22, on March 11, 2025, in a street attack that occurred during her live broadcast. Prosecutors have requested a 20-year prison sentence, citing financial grievances after Takano lent Sato over 1.5 million yen that was never repaid.

How the attack unfolded on live broadcast

Takano attacked Sato on a Takadanobaba street at 9:51 a.m. on March 11, 2025, while she streamed under the name “Moe Mogami” on the app Fuwatchi. He used a knife with a 12.6 cm blade, stabbing her face and neck multiple times. The assault was captured both by nearby security cameras and Sato’s own livestream. Court testimony revealed Sato screaming “Help, help, help” and “It hurts, it hurts, it hurts” as bystanders tried to intervene. After her screams stopped, Takano took her smartphone and said “It’s still moving” and “It’s still moving a little” while kicking her head.

The financial relationship that preceded the killing

Court records show Takano met Sato in person in 2022 after becoming a regular viewer of her livestream. He traveled to her hostess club workplace in Yamagata four times, spending 770,000 yen on travel and gifts. Sato then began requesting money for emergencies like a forgotten bag, stopped phone, or forced expensive drink orders, sometimes implying danger to increase urgency. Within 20 days, Takano transferred over 1.5 million yen across 11 payments, exhausting nearly all of his approximately 4.5 million yen in savings.

Severity of injuries and legal charges

A judicial autopsy found Sato had at least 55 knife wounds, with some blades penetrating completely through her body. More than half the wounds were on her head and neck. The fatal injury was a severed neck artery. Takano faces murder charges and violations of Japan’s Firearm and Sword Control Law for carrying two knives. He admitted to all charges at the July 1 initial hearing, stating “That is correct. I am truly sorry.”

Final Thoughts

The verdict on July 15 will determine whether Takano receives the 20-year sentence prosecutors requested. The case has drawn intense public attention due to the brutal nature of the attack and its occurrence during a live broadcast, raising questions about online safety and the vulnerability of content creators.

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