TOKYO: A long-standing workplace relationship that began in school ended in tragedy after a bonus dispute, police said, as a 45-year-old man was arrested over the alleged killing of his former classmate and boss in Ota, the
TokyoReporter reported.
Police identified the suspect as Masahiro Yamanaka (
pic), a sales manager at a sound equipment company, who said his bonus had been cut without explanation.
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Investigators allege Yamanaka fatally stabbed the company’s managing director, 44-year-old Akihiro Kawashima, at the victim’s apartment in Omorikita around Jan 7.
Police said Kawashima was found collapsed and bleeding the following day and was later confirmed dead.
Yamanaka was quoted as saying, “I did stab him, but I did not intend to kill him,” in relation to the allegations.
During voluntary questioning before his arrest on Jan 9, Yamanaka said his bonus had been reduced from 1.5 months’ salary to one month’s salary without any explanation.
Police said a statement showing a December bonus equivalent to about one month’s salary was found at the suspect’s home.
Investigators added that Kawashima and Yamanaka were former high school classmates, and that the suspect later waited for the victim at the apartment building on the night of Jan 7 before attacking him, with the body found to have more than 10 stab wounds, including to the neck and stomach.
