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Bereaved family sues death-sentenced defendant over 2020 Oita robbery-murder
Коротко
The family of two people killed in a 2020 robbery-murder in Usa, Oita Prefecture, filed a damages lawsuit on Oct 6 against Sato Shoichi, 41, who has been sentenced to death at first and second instance and is appealing to the Supreme Court. The family's Kenji Yamana said he wants to know at least a little of what happened. The amount of damages sought has not been disclosed.
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A bereaved family filed a damages lawsuit on Oct 6 against Sato Shoichi, 41, who has been sentenced to death at first and second instance over the 2020 robbery-murder of two people in Usa, Oita Prefecture, according to the reports. Sankei Shimbun said the suit was filed at the Oita District Court Nakatsu branch. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The victims were Takako Yamana, 79, a farmer, and her son Hiroyuki, 51, a postal worker, who were killed at their home in Ajimu-cho Sho, Usa. Court findings cited by Sankei say the two were stabbed multiple times in the neck with a kitchen knife and scissors and died of blood loss, and that at least ¥54,000 was taken. [ 1 , 2 ]
Sato was arrested about one year and eight months after the crime, Nippon TV reported, and was a company employee in Oita City at the time. He pleaded not guilty at trial, saying “I haven't done any of it. I am not the criminal.” Prosecutors pointed to bloodstains matching the victim's DNA type found in his car, while the defense argued there was no direct evidence and said he had gone near the scene at the request of men in pro-wrestling masks claiming to be YouTubers, so a real culprit might exist, according to Nippon TV. [ 1 , 2 ]
In July 2024 the Oita District Court sentenced him to death; presiding judge Yasutaka Karashima said it was found without reasonable doubt that the defendant was the culprit, Nippon TV reported. The Fukuoka High Court upheld the ruling in August 2025 and dismissed the defense appeal, and Sato appealed to the Supreme Court the same day. [ 1 , 2 ]
Plaintiff Kenji Yamana, who lost his mother and brother, said through his lawyer that the lives taken will not come back and that he wants to know at least a little of what happened that day, Sankei reported. In a longer comment carried by Nippon TV, he said more than six and a half years had passed since the crime, that the defendant had continued implausible claims of innocence and that the criminal case had still not concluded, and that he decided to file a civil suit rather than only wait. [ 1 , 2 ]
The amount of damages sought has not been made public, according to Nippon TV. [ 2 ]
Почему это важно
The civil suit proceeds in parallel with a criminal case whose final outcome is still pending before the Supreme Court, so it may produce a separate judicial finding on the same facts. For the family, the filing is described as a way to seek information beyond the criminal proceedings.
Ключевые факты
- A bereaved family filed a damages lawsuit on Oct 6, 2026 at the Oita District Court Nakatsu branch against Sato Shoichi, 41, over the 2020 killing of two people in Usa, Oita Prefecture. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The victims were Takako Yamana, 79, a farmer, and her son Hiroyuki, 51, a postal worker, killed at their home in Ajimu-cho Sho, Usa. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Court findings cited by Sankei say the two were stabbed repeatedly with a kitchen knife and scissors and that at least ¥54,000 was taken. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sato was sentenced to death by the Oita District Court in July 2024, and the Fukuoka High Court upheld the ruling in August 2025. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sato has maintained he is not the culprit and has appealed to the Supreme Court. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The amount of damages sought has not been made public. [ 2 ]
Подтверждено несколькими источниками
- The family of the two victims filed a damages lawsuit against Sato Shoichi, who received death sentences at first and second instance. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Takako Yamana, 79, and her son Hiroyuki, 51, were killed at their home in Usa, Oita Prefecture, in February 2020. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Sato was sentenced to death at first instance in 2024 and the sentence was upheld by the Fukuoka High Court in August 2025; he appealed to the Supreme Court. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sato has continued to assert his innocence. [ 1 , 2 ]
- At least ¥54,000 was taken in the incident, according to court findings. [ 1 , 2 ]
Пока неясно
- The amount of damages the family is seeking. Nippon TV states the figure has not been made public; no other document gives it.
- When and how the Supreme Court will rule on Sato's appeal. The documents say the appeal is pending but give no schedule or expected timing.
Что пишут местные СМИ
Хронология, местное время
- Takako Yamana, 79, and her son Hiroyuki, 51, are killed at their home in Ajimu-cho Sho, Usa, Oita Prefecture, and at least ¥54,000 is taken, according to court findings. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Oita District Court sentences Sato Shoichi to death, finding it proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was the culprit. [ 2 ]
- The Fukuoka High Court upholds the first-instance death sentence and dismisses the defense appeal; Sato appeals to the Supreme Court the same day. [ 2 ]
- The bereaved family files a damages lawsuit against Sato at the Oita District Court Nakatsu branch. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports the filing and the family's comment. [ 1 ]
- Nippon TV News reports the filing and the plaintiff's full comment. [ 2 ]