Key Facts
• November 25 to December 1 marks Crime Victims’ Week in Japan.
• A lecture titled “22 Years as a Bereaved Family Member” was held in Kurume City, Fukuoka.
• Shuhiro Yonemura, head of the Sakura Association, shared his story as a victim’s father.
• On September 26, 2003, his 20-year-old daughter, Chisato, went missing.
• Two weeks later, her body was found in the mountains between Osaka and Nara.
• The perpetrator was a 49-year-old man Chisato met online.
• Yonemura described the emotional toll on his family, including self-blame and mental health struggles.
• He continues lectures to honor Chisato and raise awareness about the value of life.
• Yonemura urged the audience to “bring Chisato back to life” by sharing her story.
• His lectures are detailed in a six-part series available online.
Summary
During Japan’s Crime Victims’ Week, Shuhiro Yonemura, father of Chisato, a 20-year-old murder victim, shared his family’s 22-year journey of grief and advocacy. Chisato disappeared in 2003 and was later found murdered by a man she met online. Yonemura described the emotional devastation his family endured, including self-blame and mental health challenges. Through his lectures, he aims to honor Chisato’s memory and promote the importance of life. He called on the public to “bring Chisato back to life” by sharing her story. His efforts are documented in a six-part series, highlighting the ongoing struggles of crime victims’ families.
