A 36-year-old man, identified as Motoki Kimura, a high school staff member, was arrested on Monday in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, on suspicion of killing approximately 30 hamsters at a love hotel. This is the second time Kimura has been apprehended in connection with the mass killing of rodents.
Kimura was previously arrested in July for allegedly killing 25 hamsters at another love hotel. Investigators found videos and messages on his seized cell phone that appeared to document the alleged killings and planning for the massacres. One message reportedly read, "Where are we going to kill the hamsters and have fun?" According to reports, Kimura allegedly stomped on the rodents and killed them by other means. A 20-year-old temp worker, Haruka Fujisawa, was also detained in connection with the first set of killings, which occurred in late March. Police stated that Kimura and Fujisawa reportedly met through social media.
In the most recent incident, Kimura is alleged to have teamed up with an unidentified woman, who has also been arrested. Love hotels in Japan are short-stay accommodations typically rented by couples for privacy. The investigation into the most recent incident is ongoing.