Prosecutors asked for a life sentence for Kawamura Hayane on Friday in a case involving the death of a university student [1].
The request for life imprisonment underscores the severity of the charges in a case that has drawn attention to violent crime involving young adults in Hokkaido. The prosecution said the attack was a coordinated effort to rob the victim.
Kawamura and two other defendants are accused of assaulting Tomoya Hase in a park in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, and stealing his cash and cards [1, 2]. The incident occurred in October 2024 [1]. The defendants face charges of robbery resulting in death, and other related crimes [1, 2].
During the hearing at the Sapporo District Court, prosecutors described the intent behind the crime as a "firm intent to commit robbery" [1]. They said that Kawamura's role in the incident was significant, as she "created the cause" for the event to happen [1].
Kawamura addressed the court regarding her potential restitution. She said that if the victim's family agreed, she believed that visiting the grave and offering prayers would be one way to make amends [1].
Three people were involved in the attack [1]. The court is expected to deliver a final verdict on June 25, 2026 [1].
“Prosecutors asked for a life sentence for Kawamura Hayane”
The prosecution's demand for a life sentence reflects a legal strategy to hold Kawamura Hayane accountable not just as a participant, but as a primary instigator of the crime. By emphasizing her role in 'creating the cause,' the state is seeking a maximum penalty typically reserved for the most severe cases of robbery-homicide, signaling a low tolerance for organized violent theft.
