“I Couldn’t Leave Him Alone”—Court Says 66-Year-Old Father Who Strangled His Son Deserves No Leniency

A father killed his son for his own selfish reasons

The suspect’s apartment, where the incident occurred, is located about a 10-minute drive from Narita Police Station. A bicycle that had been used to take his son to and from elementary school remained parked in front of the entrance.

On May 31, Toshihiko Yoshii (66) was arrested on suspicion of strangling his 11-year-old son to death at their home.

“On May 29, the principal of Taisei’s elementary school reported to police that he had not come to school. When officers arrived at the residence, they found both father and son lying on futons. Yoshii was in a semi-conscious state, while Taisei had already died. It appeared that several days had passed since his death,” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs desk.

Taisei reportedly had a mild disability and attended a special education class.

“Neighbors had often seen Yoshii taking Taisei to and from school by bicycle. According to investigators, the pair had moved into the apartment one or two years earlier. Taisei’s mother had died about ten years ago. Yoshii has reportedly told investigators, ‘I had no money and had become hopeless about the future. I couldn’t leave my son behind alone,'” the reporter added.

It appears that Yoshii may have attempted a murder-suicide. However, crime journalist Taihei Ogawa strongly criticized the act, questioning whether the father had truly exhausted all other options.

“There are reports that he was not receiving public assistance. If he had consulted the local government office, they likely would have proposed some form of support. The police would also have listened if he sought help, and if they judged that leaving the situation as it is would be dangerous, they might have notified child welfare authorities so that Taisei could be placed under protection.

‘Being pessimistic about your son’s future’ and killing your son are completely unrelated. This is a murder committed for the father’s own selfish reasons, and there is absolutely no room for leniency.”

Further police questioning is expected to shed more light on the details of this tragic case.