Prosecutors seek life sentences for perpetrators in Tokyo metropolitan robbery cases

Prosecutors have requested life sentences for two men, Shu Fujii (28) and Rikuto Kubota (23), involved in a series of violent robberies across the Tokyo metropolitan area, including Yokohama and Chiba. The defendants are charged with robbery resulting in death and robbery causing injury.

The crimes were facilitated through social media recruitment for “dark part-time jobs.” While the defendants claimed they were coerced by organizers through threats of violence and did not realize the true nature of the work, prosecutors argued that their decision to follow instructions led to grave consequences. In one incident in Yokohama, 75-year-old Kanji Goto was killed during the assault.

During the trial, the daughter of the deceased provided a victim impact statement, stating that the defendants did not just kill her father but “erased his home, his hometown, and his memories.” The defense has argued for fixed-term sentences, claiming the defendants were acting under duress. A verdict is expected on November 6.