4 in Japan accused of robbing intellectually disabled man after forcing him to drink

From The Mainichi

September 26 2025

TOKYO – Four individuals in Japan have been arrested for allegedly robbing a man with a mild intellectual disability after forcing him to become intoxicated with whisky, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)’s First Criminal Investigation Division announced Sept. 26.

Police arrested Daichi Suzuki, a 22-year-old company worker from Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture; Kanako Sato, a 24-year-old resident of Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward of unknown occupation; Sota Shimazaki, a 21-year-old university student from Abashiri, Hokkaido; and a 19-year-old male restaurant employee from Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward, on suspicion of drugging-robbery. Police believe that the suspects exploited the man’s disability after meeting him on social media.

The four suspects are specifically accused of conspiring to rob the man by making him drink whisky on a street near his home in Tokyo’s Nakano Ward between around 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on June 5. They allegedly told the man in his 40s, “It’s a miracle drug, drink it,” leading to his severe intoxication, and they then stole his smartphone. All four have reportedly admitted to the allegations.

According to the MPD, the victim became acquainted with Sato through social media in the winter of 2024, bonding over a shared interest in anime, and they met several times. Sato apparently noticed the man’s disability and introduced him to the other suspects she met online, describing him as “an interesting guy.”

On the day of the incident, the four suspects allegedly called the man and threatened him by saying, “Come right now. We’ll arrest you if you don’t.” They are believed to have forced him to drink over 700 milliliters of whisky to become heavily intoxicated. They also filmed the incident, and a video of the victim being sexually assaulted, such as being forced to undress, reportedly remained.

The man was abandoned in bushes near his home. Although his smartphone was returned the next morning, approximately 100,000 yen (some $670) worth of electronic money was fraudulently used. The police believe the four spent it on food, beverages and transportation.

On June 8, the man was reportedly called out by Suzuki and abandoned in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture. The victim’s family consulted with the police, leading to the discovery of the crime.