Global Courant
On Halloween in 2017, nine heads and 240 bones were found in a small apartment just outside Tokyo, in one of Japan’s most shocking crimes in history.
Takahiro Shiraishi took to Twitter to provoke suicidal victims who wanted to die but lacked the courage to end their own lives.
He pretended to be an expert in hanging, but his real motives were sex and money.
Shiraishi was sentenced to death – by hanging – and is now in a maximum security prison. The case had sparked conversations about social media and suicide research in Japan.
ST’s Japan correspondent Walter Sim narrates this podcast.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:16 Shiraishi’s motives and modus operandi
5:47 What led Shiraishi down this path
9:28 Shiraishi meets his first victim
16:43 Justice catches up with Shiraishi
22:19 Social implications of Shiraishi’s crimes, and how much hasn’t changed since then
Interviews and narration by: Walter Sim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis ([email protected]) and Tan Tam Mei ([email protected])
Podcast producers: Eden Soh and Fa’izah Sani
Voiceovers: Paxton Pang, Li Yi, Aqil Hamzah, Hadyu Rahim, David Sun, Edeh Soh, Mubin Saadat
Reference for research: “Report: Nine Murders in Zama – Why Were the Victims Drawn to It?” by Tetsuya Shibui
MENTAL HEALTH
Institute of Mental Health Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours)
Singapore Mental Health Association: 1800-283-7019
Singapore Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928
Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
Chat, Center of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
ADVICE
TOUCHline (advisory): 1800-377-2252
TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555
Zorghoek Advice Center: 6353-1180
Advice and care center: 6536-6366
ONLINE RESOURCES
mindline.sg
eC2.sg
tinklefriend.sg
chat.mentalhealth.sg
carey.carecorner.org.sg (for people aged 13 to 25)
limitless.sg/talk (for people aged 12 to 25)
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