A 49-year-old woman in Japan has been arrested for allegedly sewing her female roommate's lips together with a needle and thread, according to police reports. The victim, a 42-year-old woman, managed to escape the following day and sought help at a nearby store, writing a note that read "help me" because she could not speak due to her injuries.
Incident Details
The alleged assault occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. on June 29 in Koga, Japan. Police reported that Masae Sakurai used a needle and thread to pierce through the victim's upper and lower lips multiple times. The victim may have spent nearly a day with her mouth sewn shut before escaping on June 30.
According to Japan Today, the victim told police: "I was afraid of Sakurai, so I couldn't escape right away." She wore a face mask to hide her injuries from the public while seeking help. The victim had moved in with Sakurai in April 2025.
Investigation and Background
Police are continuing their investigation and believe additional people may have been living in the house. Interviews with some of these individuals have already taken place. Neighbors reported that Sakurai initially moved to the area with a foreign husband, who has not been seen for some time.
According to Asahi TV, acquaintances revealed that Sakurai used her home to shelter people who had run away from home. A former coworker from a restaurant where Sakurai worked until February last year described her as "skilled at drawing people to her side."
The exact nature of the victim's wounds has not been disclosed, but police confirmed her life is not in danger.
