Tragic, 21-Year-Old Indonesian Dies in Japan by Fellow Indonesian Citizens

Police are investigating a stabbing to death involving an Indonesian citizen in Chitose City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, Friday, June 5, 2026 (IP doc)

JAKARTA - An Indonesian citizen (WNI) named Suli Rahayu (21) was killed after being stabbed in Chitose City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Local police have arrested an Indonesian man suspected of being the perpetrator in the case.

Hokkaido police identified the suspect as Mahamudi Agung Laksana Aji (27), a part-time worker residing in Chiba Prefecture. He was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder before the status of the case was upgraded to murder after the victim died.

The incident occurred on Friday, June 5, at around 21.15 local time in the Shinano area, Chitose City. The victim suffered serious stab wounds to the abdomen as a result of an attack using a knife.

Suli Rahayu was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. However, his life could not be saved and the victim was declared dead.

In the incident, a police officer and a friend of the victim were also injured while trying to stop the attack and incapacitate the perpetrator. Both are reported to still be undergoing treatment for the injuries they suffered.

Based on the results of the initial investigation, the police revealed that the victim and the suspect had known each other before the incident took place.

Officers also seized two blades that were allegedly used in the attack as evidence.

During the examination, the suspect admitted his actions.

"I stabbed him with the intention to kill him," the suspect told investigators, quoted by International Press, Sunday, June 7.

With the death of the victim, Japanese police increased the status of the investigation from attempted murder to murder.

The location of the incident is in a residential area about 1.8 kilometers northwest of JR Chitose Station.

A local resident in his 50s admitted to seeing a woman lying on the road after the incident. He also witnessed paramedics performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before the victim was taken to hospital.

Until now, the Hokkaido Police are still investigating the complete chronology and the motive behind the stabbing.

Investigators are also continuing to collect witness statements and other evidence to fully uncover the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator as well as the background of the violent act that led to the fatal incident.