Miyazaki Tsutomu: The Case of Japan’s “Otaku Murderer”

When it comes to the darkest chapters of Japan’s criminal history, few names stir up more dread than Miyazaki Tsutomu. Dubbed the “Otaku Murderer” or “The Little Girl Murderer,” Miyazaki shocked the nation in the late 1980s with a string of child abductions, murders, and acts of necrophilia and cannibalism. His crimes were not only horrific but also deeply complex, revealing disturbing intersections between isolation, mental illness, and Japan’s rising subcultures.

Who Was Miyazaki Tsutomu?

Born on August 21, 1962, in Itabashi, Tokyo, Miyazaki Tsutomu appeared unremarkable on the surface. But beneath the quiet demeanor was a deeply troubled young man. He was born with a rare birth defect that caused his hands to be fused to his wrists, leaving him unable to rotate them. This deformity made him a target of bullying, isolating him from his peers during childhood.

He later attended a local junior college, studying to become a photo technician, but his academic performance declined sharply. By the late 1980s, Miyazaki had withdrawn entirely from society, spending most of his time obsessing over anime, horror films, and violent pornography. His bedroom reportedly housed thousands of videotapes, including graphic slasher films and recordings of his victims.

The Murders: 1988–1989

Miyazaki’s killing spree lasted less than two years but left an indelible scar on Japan. Between August 1988 and June 1989, he abducted and murdered four young girls between the ages of 4 and 7. His crimes followed a chilling pattern:

August 22, 1988 – Mari Konno, age 4, disappeared while playing at a friend’s house. Miyazaki strangled her and left her body in the hills. He later returned to dismember the corpse and took her hands and feet as “souvenirs.”

October 3, 1988 – Masami Yoshizawa, age 7, was lured into Miyazaki’s car and strangled. He left her body in a wooded area.

December 12, 1988 – Erika Namba, age 4, was abducted after leaving her friend’s house. Her body was later found near a stream.

June 6, 1989 – Ayako Nomoto, age 5, was coaxed into his car under the guise of taking photos. This time, Miyazaki not only killed the girl but also mutilated and partially cannibalized her remains.

After each murder, Miyazaki taunted the victims’ families. In one instance, he mailed the burnt bones and teeth of Mari Konno to her grieving parents, along with a postcard reading, “Mari. Cremated. Bones. Investigate. Prove.”

The Capture

Miyazaki was finally arrested on July 23, 1989, but not for murder — he was caught trying to photograph a young girl in a park. Her father restrained him until police arrived. Upon searching his home, authorities made a grisly discovery: shelves filled with violent porn, videotapes of the victims, and body parts. The evidence was undeniable.

The Trial and Psychological Profile

Miyazaki’s trial began in 1990 and lasted seven years. He displayed erratic behavior, often speaking in a high-pitched voice and claiming that an alter ego named “Rat Man” had committed the murders. Psychiatrists were divided: some declared him legally insane, while others said he was mentally competent but deeply disturbed.

Ultimately, the court ruled that Miyazaki understood the consequences of his actions. He was convicted on all counts and sentenced to death in 1997. After a decade of appeals and delays, Miyazaki was executed by hanging on June 17, 2008.

Media and Public Reaction

The Japanese media dubbed him the “Otaku Murderer”, referencing his obsession with anime and horror. The term otaku—which simply means someone with an obsessive interest—quickly gained negative connotations. Many in Japan feared that youth engrossed in fantasy and isolation could follow the same dark path.

Critics later argued that the media unfairly demonized the otaku community, oversimplifying Miyazaki’s crimes as the product of fandom rather than a deeply complex psychological disorder.

Legacy of Horror

Miyazaki Tsutomu remains one of Japan’s most reviled serial killers. His case raised national debates around:

Mental health and its treatment within the criminal justice system

The ethics of media sensationalism

The dangers of social isolation and youth disconnection

The blame placed on subcultures for individual criminal acts

The case also inspired fictional portrayals and documentaries, including characters in anime and manga based on his likeness. However, most creators avoid glamorizing his actions, treating the topic with gravity and horror.

Final Thoughts

The story of Miyazaki Tsutomu is a disturbing reminder of the depths human depravity can reach when social isolation, mental illness, and unchecked fantasies collide. It’s a case that still haunts Japan — not just for the brutality of the crimes, but for the uncomfortable questions it raised about society, media, and justice.