Japanese Woman Uses Needle and Thread To Sew Roommate's Lips Shut; Here's What Happened Next
A 49-year-old woman, Masae Sakurai, was arrested in Koga, Japan, for allegedly sewing her 42-year-old roommate's lips shut with a needle and thread on June 29. The victim escaped the following day, using a note to seek help. Police are currently investigating the motive and reports that other individuals were staying at the suspect's residence.
Japanese police have arrested a 49-year-old woman in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, on suspicion of assault after she allegedly sewed her 42-year-old roommate’s lips together with a needle and thread. The suspect, identified as Masae Sakurai, was taken into custody on Monday, July 6, following a harrowing escape by the victim.
The Alleged Assault and Escape
According to local authorities, the incident occurred at the pair’s home on the afternoon of June 29. Police report that Sakurai allegedly became angry during a dispute and used a needle and thread to sew the victim’s upper and lower lips together in multiple places. Japanese Woman Finds Boss in Her Bed Wearing Only Underwear; Obsessed Man Arrested After Confessing to Multiple Break-Ins.
The victim, who had been living with Sakurai since approximately April 2025, remained in the house until the following day. On the afternoon of June 30, while Sakurai was out, the victim managed to flee the residence. Unable to speak due to her injuries, she rushed to a nearby shop and handed a store employee a piece of paper with the written message, “Please help me" The employee subsequently contacted the police, leading to the investigation and Sakurai’s eventual arrest.
Ongoing Investigation
Police are currently investigating the motive and circumstances surrounding the assault. As of Thursday, July 9, officials had not disclosed whether Sakurai has admitted to the allegations. Authorities are also looking into reports that other individuals were living in the house at the time of the incident. Senior local police official Makoto Hiyama noted that investigators are probing unconfirmed information suggesting others may have been present when the assault occurred. These individuals are currently being questioned by police. Japan Shocker: Man Hides Spy Cameras in Fake Rocks, Secretly Films 1,000 Women Bathing in Hot Springs; Jailed for 2 Years.
Background on the Residence
Acquaintances of Sakurai have told local media that the suspect’s home was known to house various people who had reportedly run away from home. Some acquaintances indicated they believed Sakurai had been assisting these individuals by providing housing and helping them find employment. One former coworker of Sakurai told reporters she had learned about three years ago that the suspect was “taking care of girls who have nowhere to go after reaching out to their parents.” Another acquaintance who visited the residence in November reported seeing several people staying there, including women and a minor. The victim told police that she had not escaped sooner because she “was afraid of Sakurai, so I couldn’t escape right away.”
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2026 06:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).