Shocking abuse in Japan: High school employee arrested on suspicion of torturing and killing dozens of hamsters
A high school employee in the city of Miyako and two women were arrested on suspicion of conducting a shocking campaign of killing and torturing about 50 hamsters. Investigators uncovered graphic videos and correspondence on the suspect's mobile phone in which they planned the acts and carried them out in "love hotels."
Suspicion of a sadistic abuse case in Japan: A high school employee has been arrested on suspicion of conducting a campaign of killing and torturing dozens of hamsters for amusement. The suspect, Motoki Kimura (36), an employee at a fisheries high school in the city of Miyako, was arrested along with two young women on suspicion of involvement in the severe acts.
According to local police, Kimura is suspected of killing about 50 hamsters in two separate incidents. His arrest at the end of August relates to the suspicion of killing about 30 hamsters in March. This arrest came after he had already been detained in July on suspicion of killing about 20 other hamsters in February.
Along with Kimura, two women were arrested: Haruka Fujisawa (20), suspected of collaborating with him in the March incident, and another 19-year-old woman, who was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the case that occurred in February. Police noted that Kimura and Fujisawa met on social media and planned the acts in advance.
Key evidence in the case was revealed after investigators seized Kimura's mobile phone. According to a report in the English-language Japanese newspaper The Japan Times, videos documenting the killing of the hamsters were found on the device, including footage in which Kimura is seen stepping on the animals.
In addition, correspondence with the young women was found on the device, including a message that read:
"Where shall we go to kill the hamsters and have fun?"
Hiroyuki Nasu, a senior police officer in the city of Miyako, confirmed the details of the arrests and noted that the March incident involved "the unjustified killing of about 30 hamsters in collaboration." The police are currently investigating whether there were other individuals involved or other cases that have not been revealed until now.
The acts, which were allegedly carried out inside local "love hotels," constitute a serious violation of animal protection laws in Japan, which are intended to prevent cruelty and establish animal welfare among the public. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
"Love hotels" are a common hospitality industry in Japan, offering rooms for rent by the hour or for the night. The hotels are characterized by complete discretion, including separate entrances, payment via automated machines, and no contact with hotel staff. Due to the absolute privacy and anonymity they provide, the suspects in the case used these rooms to carry out the acts of abuse against the animals and document them away from the public eye.
