Hokkaido group assault murder trial proceeds in Sapporo

A criminal trial is under way at the Sapporo District Court for the October 2024 killing of 20‑year‑old university student Tomoya Hase in a park in Ebetsu, Hokkaido. Six youths assaulted Hase, resulting in his death. Defendants Kawaguchi Yuto, who was 18 at the time, and Kawamura Yone, then 17, gave contradictory testimony about who directed the violence. Kawaguchi denied giving any orders, apologized to the victim’s family, and said he acted on his own, while Kawamura testified that Kawaguchi was told to continue the assault after the initial attack. Both defendants have admitted the charges of robbery resulting in death and other counts. A 17‑year‑old accomplice also testified, expressing remorse and describing the assault as a stress‑relief act. The court heard that Hase’s cash card was used to withdraw ¥127,000, and that the assault involved roughly 55 blows. Sentencing for Kawaguchi and Kawamura is scheduled for 7 August, following earlier convictions for other participants.