Chiba Case Verdict Reveals Fate of Woman Who Killed Nepalese Man and Raises Questions About Family’s Feelings
Few points to consider in terms of circumstances or motive
The sentencing trial for Mami Asaka (32), who was indicted for assisting the suicide of her partner, Nepali man Chantar Badal (21 at the time of the incident), was held on March 10 at the Chiba District Court.
Judge Kenta Tsuchikura stated, “Despite various options, such as persuading the family, the defendant prepared two kitchen knives and assisted in the suicide in a reckless manner. There are few points in these circumstances or motives that warrant consideration,” and sentenced her to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years (prosecution requested two years).
Regarding the suspended sentence, the judge noted, “This is a case of assisting suicide,” and pointed out that the defendant admitted to the crime and expressed words of reflection. He further explained, “The main sentence of imprisonment was imposed, with the suspension period set to the maximum of five years.”
The incident came to light around 8 a.m. on October 5, ’25. A 119 call reported, “The man stabbed himself with a knife.” When emergency responders arrived, Badal was found face down in a hotel room, covered in blood, and was confirmed dead at the scene. The call had been made by Asaka, who was present. Because she stated that she shoplifted the two knives found at the scene, the Chiba Prefectural Police immediately arrested her on suspicion of theft. Later, on October 28, she was arrested on suspicion of murdering Badal.
Asaka denied the murder charge, saying, “That’s wrong,” and the prosecution indicted her for assisting suicide, theft, and violations of the firearms and swords law. Regarding why she was not charged with murder, the prosecution stated it was determined based on the evidence.
“FRIDAY Digital” has previously reported on the trial twice. The following is a partially re-edited summary of those reports.
On February 19, ’26, the first trial of the defendant Asaka was held at the Chiba District Court. Relatives of Mr. Badal were also present, listening to Asaka’s testimony through a Nepali interpreter.
During the trial, what happened that day gradually became clear.
Badal, who was a student at a Japanese language school, met Asaka at the factory where they both worked in December ’24. The two, who had an 11-year age gap, began dating in March ’25. Asaka recalled that she was already being asked about marriage that same month.
“At first, he (Badal) sent me a passionate message that included the phrase marriage. When we met in person, he would also say things like ‘I want to get married.’ I did like him, but at that time I wasn’t yet thinking about marriage.”
Because Badal had school and Asaka was working two jobs, they mostly met at hotels. When asked by the victim’s attorney, “Did you ever watch movies together or go to amusement parks?” she answered, “No.”
By around September, Asaka began to consider marrying Badal, but those around her were opposed. She stated that there were three reasons that led her to start thinking about suicide:
“Being opposed by my family, not having enough money to live together, and having less time to see each other because Badal changed workplaces.”
Regarding her family’s opposition, she explained in response to her lawyer’s question:
“My parents opposed it, saying that because our cultures and upbringings were different, it would be difficult to live together. He (Badal) also told me that his father called him and asked, ‘What did you go to Japan for?’ and opposed the marriage.”
According to Asaka, Badal was very shocked, saying “I want to be together’ and ‘I want to get married.”
Then, without either of them clearly initiating it, they began to think about suicide.
“Badal showed me an image of a Nepali kukri knife and said, ‘If we can’t be together, should we die?’” (Asaka)
Interpreting the image as a message to prepare a blade, Asaka thought, “Since we’re going to die anyway, there’s no need to buy one,” and on October 3, she shoplifted two kitchen knives from a 100-yen shop.
On the night of October 4, when she met Badal at a hotel, she placed the two knives on the table and told him she had prepared them. Regarding what happened when Badal attempted suicide, Asaka stated:
“While we were lying on the bed, crying and talking, he suddenly got up and said, ‘If we can’t be together, I’ll die,’ then took a knife from the table and stabbed himself in the chest.”
As for why she did not follow him, she said, “My mind went completely blank, and I couldn’t act.” After hesitating for a while, she then called emergency services.
“I believe he was murdered.”
What was puzzling was that Mr. Badal’s body was in an extremely brutal state, too severe to be self-inflicted. During the statement presented at the second trial on March 3, Badal’s brother revealed the following:
“My brother’s body had eleven stab wounds. A deep wound to the neck. There were also wounds on both hands, with the left hand penetrated by a blade. Near the heart, the blade had reached a depth of 16 cm.”
The prosecutor also pointed this out and asked, “Do you understand how such wounds could have been inflicted?” To this, the defendant Asaka responded:
“I was on the bed, so I could only see Badal’s back. He was bent forward, so I did not know exactly how he was moving.”
In his statement, Badal’s brother said, “If Badal had any mental issues, we would certainly have noticed. He had already prepared his work schedule for the following month. Would someone intending to take their own life make a schedule for the future?” He insisted that he could not believe Badal had committed suicide.
During police questioning immediately after the incident, it was also stated: “On the night of October 2, ’25, Badal reportedly spoke to Asaka about breaking up. We believe Badal was murdered.”
The family could not accept that Badal had committed suicide. Although the trial focused on Asaka’s crime of assisting suicide, the guilty verdict effectively confirmed Badal’s death as suicide, leaving the family’s feelings betrayed.
In court, Asaka stated, “When marriage was opposed, my perspective narrowed, and I did not reach the idea of taking time to resolve the situation.” The suspended sentence reflects that this statement was recognized as an expression of remorse.
One wonders what the family of the late Mr. Badal thinks now, as Asaka begins walking a path of rehabilitation.
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