On November 13, 2023, a 68-year-old man named Satoru Takaha from Nagoya, Japan, stood with his family and over 30 others at a commercial facility in the city’s Nishi ward. They were distributing flyers, hoping to gather more information about a brutal murder that occurred 25 years ago.
The Tragic Murder of Takaha’s Wife
In 1999, Takaha’s wife, Namikou Takaha, was tragically murdered in their apartment in Inaocho, Nagoya. She was only 32 years old.
That afternoon, Takaha was at work when he received an urgent call from a neighbor. His wife had been found in a pool of blood, unconscious in the hallway of their home. He rushed back to the apartment and found Namikou in critical condition, her throat slashed by a knife, causing massive blood loss. 
Their 2-year-old son, Takaha Naohei, was fortunately unharmed, sitting by his mother’s side. The police soon arrived, beginning an investigation.
The Investigation and the Unknown Killer
The police discovered bloodstains and shoe prints near the entrance, indicating a violent struggle. However, nothing of value appeared to be stolen, suggesting that the murder was personal. The killer likely attacked Namikou in front of their son, who at the time was too young to fully understand the horror that had unfolded.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing a suspicious woman near the scene, her hands injured and allegedly still bleeding. Investigators concluded that the suspect was a woman aged between 40 and 50, with a height of around 160 cm, and blood type B.
The Husband’s 25-Year Struggle
After the tragic event, Takaha moved back to his parents’ house with his son but occasionally returned to the apartment to try to preserve the crime scene. He noticed that his wife’s personal belongings were still there – her favorite Seiko Matsuda CDs and cookbooks were on the shelves. Takaha, deeply affected, made a decision that would impact his life for the next quarter of a century: he would continue to rent the apartment.
Despite the pain it caused, Takaha kept the apartment leased, leaving it untouched in hopes that one day, it would hold the key to finding the killer. The calendar from 1999 remained hanging on the wall, and his wife’s clothes still hung on a chair.
A year after the murder, Takaha’s son, Naohei, at just 3 years old, said, “Mommy died after arguing with a strange lady. She died after the fight. Mommy is dead.”
25 Years Later: No Closure
Sadly, even after 25 years, the killer remains unidentified. The police have mobilized nearly 98,000 officers, yet the case remains unsolved. Takaha, however, has never given up hope. He continued paying rent on the apartment, having spent a total of ¥22 million (about 103,000 CNY) in rent so far.
Takaha’s resolve is unshaken. He says, “The time I spent with my wife was probably the happiest time of my life. The room still holds the killer’s DNA. I will keep renting it to make sure the killer lives in fear. We will never let you go.”
Raising His Son Alone
Over the years, Takaha raised his son alone. Now 27, Naohei works for an advertising company in Tokyo. Recently, he married a woman named Satsuki, whom he met in high school. Satsuki’s mother had worked with Namikou, and the two women shared a good relationship.
When discussing his marriage, Naohei said, “If my mom were still here, I can’t even imagine how happy she would be.”
Takaha, having helped with the wedding preparations, found a moment of peace. “I’ve lost so much. This is the first time in years that I’ve felt this happy. I can finally tell my wife the good news. As long as we’re alive, good things can happen. I’ll continue to move forward.”
The Ongoing Search for Answers
On November 13, the 68-year-old Takaha and his family once again distributed flyers at a commercial facility in Nagoya. If anyone provides useful information leading to the arrest of the killer, a reward of ¥3 million will be offered.
Takaha remains firm in his mission, saying, “Even though 24, 25, or 26 years have passed since the crime, our desire to solve the case this year has never changed. We will continue to do everything we can to find more leads…”
A Husband’s Never-Ending Dedication
The story of Takaha’s unwavering dedication to seeking justice for his wife is one of love, pain, and perseverance. For 25 years, he has kept the apartment exactly as it was, hoping that one day the killer will be found. Until that day comes, he remains steadfast in his search for answers.
