A tragic true story of a poisoned parent who stabbed his son in the thigh with a knife to make him study… “Excessive Examination Fever Took the Lives of a Family” Tragic true story of a family with a high academic background

The incident took place in Aichi Prefecture in ’16.

The perpetrator, Kengo Satake, was born the son of a pharmacy owner. His father, a pharmacist, wanted his eldest son, Kengo, to become a pharmacist and take over the store, and his second son to become a doctor. Therefore, his father gave his children a Spartan education.

Kengo’s gifted education enabled him to enter Tokai Junior High School, a prestigious school in Aichi Prefecture. However, as he was later diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), he had various difficulties in life from that time onward. He was unable to build appropriate relationships with his classmates and became less enthusiastic about his studies along the way. And after graduating from high school, he did not go on to college, but became a truck driver.

His father called Kengo a “loser” for failing to live up to his expectations, but he also spoiled him by providing him with financial support even after he reached adulthood. Kengo used the money to buy an apartment and marry. The result is the future victim of the crime, Gyunda.

Kengo has been strict with Shunta since he was a small child, and in the fourth grade he starts studying hard for the entrance exam to Tokai Junior High School, which is the same school he entered. He takes it upon himself to teach him.

Parent-child study sessions take place every day, and Kengo’s instruction is strict and violent. He would throw things, punch and kick them, and sometimes even brandish a knife, in a fit of rage if they did not do as he taught them. All of these things were things my father used to do to me.

If I tell you to write, you write until you die!

The following is an exchange between Kengo and Shunta recorded on a drive recorder (from “Nagoya Educational Abuse and Murder Case: How a Father Stabbed His Son in the Middle School Entrance Exam”, Bunshun Online, July 20, 2007).

Kengo: If I tell you to write, write to the death. You should memorize everything I tell you to memorize. Don’t you understand that you are not to make fun of adults?

Shunta !　Ouch!

Kengo, it ‘s just a knife on your leg. What’s the pain? I’m being allowed to take the entrance exam, remember?

Shunta ! I’m sorry.

–This time Mr. Da was stabbed in the thigh with a kitchen knife.

Kengo, I said I was going to stab you. Stop your yammering, even if it hurts a little.

Shunta !

Kengo, did you think you could get away with just a leg wound, you little shit? What’s the point of an injury like this?