PTA head arrested over murder of nine-year-old pupil in Japan
Neighbours said Yasumasa Shibuya volunteered to keep an eye out for children walking to class
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The head of the parent-teacher association at a primary school in Japan has been arrested over the murder of a nine-year-old pupil.
Police have arrested Yasumasa Shibuya, 46, after the naked body of Vietnamese school girl Le Thi Nhat Linh was found near a drainage ditch in Chiba, The Japan Times reports.
Some local residents said Mr Shibuya was known as a caring father and volunteered to keep an eye out for children walking to school.
He reportedly lives 300 metres away from the victim’s home.
Mr Shibuya was initially charged with abandoning a body after his DNA was found by police at the crime scene about 10 kilometres away from the school.
Chiba Police said he was the only suspect in the case.
But sources at the school have also said Mr Shibuya has been collecting donations to help Linh’s family return to Vietnam.
According to the Japan Times, the police suspects Linh’s body was dumped after she died of suffocation.
The schoolgirl went missing on March 24 after leaving school and walking the 600 metres, which separate it from her home.
Mr Shibuya reportedly took over the parents' association last year.
Maki Eguchi,who heard Shibuya address the association during a meeting last year, told the newspaper: “It is rare for a man to represent the association, and everyone was counting on him. He said he would help protect the safety of children and improve their academic abilities.
"He seemed like he was thinking seriously about children and making the school better.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments