Yuta Miyagi (宮城祐太)38 years oldunemployed from Saitama City accused of murdering an 18-year-old girl in a hotel in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, in July last yearadmitted the charges in his first jury trial before the Tokyo District Court on September 25. The prosecution pointed out that the accused was an admirer of a woman who acted as an “underground idol.”
In the Japanese entertainment scene, an “underground idol” is an artist or group of artists who are not part of the major record companies and who operate independently or on a more underground and less commercial level. Unlike idols from large entertainment agencies, underground idols can have more direct control over their music, image and activities, which allows them to maintain greater authenticity and closeness with their followers.
In its opening statement, the prosecution stated that the man had entered into a “pseudo-romantic relationship” with the female idol by giving her the things she wanted.but when he ran out of money, he thought he could no longer continue the relationship and committed the crime out of a twisted desire for control: “I want to kill her and keep her for myself“.
The defense argued that he continued to pay homage to the woman in response to her requests, but that he became angry because he was unable to win her affection. According to the accusation, between July 10 and 11 of last year the man strangled the woman with his arm and killed her in a hotel in Ikebukuro. The news hit the forums, inspiring comments such as:
- «You take money and goods too lightly».
- «Worshiping idols is something weak and pathetic men do.».
- «What makes a 38-year-old man think that an 18-year-old girl will fall in love with him?».
- «I pay? This is the kind of thing that happens when you’re in the affair business.».
- «Is it easy to get clandestine girls? What do people in the office do?».
- «If it’s so obvious, it can’t be helped. There will always be people like that. But I think the problem in these cases is also in the administration, but those people are never guilty of anything».
- «That’s why they don’t allow expensive gifts.».
- «Go meet anyone and ask them to buy you something. That’s not really a relationship between an idol and a fan.».
Fountain: Otakomu
