Two Women, Manager and Employee, Fatally Stabbed with Curved Knives at Hamamatsu Girls Bar; Suspect Ichiro Yamashita, 41, Arrested

In the early hours of July 6, 2025, two women—a 27-year-old manager, Tomoka Takeuchi, and a 26-year-old employee, Rin Ito—were fatally stabbed at a girls bar in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The suspect, 41-year-old Ichiro Yamashita, a regular customer and acquaintance of the victims, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Yamashita entered the bar carrying two curved knives, approximately 20 centimeters in length, one in each hand, and attacked the women shortly after arrival. The victims sustained multiple stab wounds, primarily to their backs, with over ten wounds reported, indicating strong intent to kill. The employee had been accompanied by Yamashita to the bar in a rental car he had driven, and had reportedly been threatened and coerced to come to the location. Investigations revealed that the employee had last had contact with Yamashita days prior during a meal, after which she ceased communication with the bar. The suspect targeted only the two women and did not harm other patrons or staff. Police are examining the possibility of a personal dispute as a motive for the attack. Yamashita has admitted to the stabbing. The incident has prompted a detailed investigation by the Hamamatsu Central Police Station and Shizuoka Prefectural Police.