A woman has been arrested in Koga, Japan, for allegedly sewing her flatmate's lips shut with a needle and thread, authorities reported.
Masae Sakurai, 49, a part-time worker, was taken into custody on Monday. The alleged attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. on June 29 and left the 42-year-old victim unable to eat or speak.
The victim managed to escape the residence the following day while Sakurai was out. Wearing a white face mask, she went to a nearby shop and presented a note to an employee that read, "please help me." The shop employee then contacted the police.
According to the victim's statement to police, she delayed her escape due to fear, stating, "I was afraid of Sakurai, so I couldn't escape right away."
Police are investigating the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident, as well as the relationship between the two women. It is unclear if Sakurai has admitted to or denied the allegations.
The two women had been living together at Sakurai's home since April 2025, according to Japanese media reports. Other individuals were reportedly present at the house during the time of the alleged attack.
Acquaintances of Sakurai told local broadcaster TV Asahi that she had a history of offering shelter to people who had left their homes and assisting them in finding work. A 54-year-old acquaintance who previously worked with Sakurai reported seeing "two or three women and a male around the age of a junior or senior high school student" at her home in November. Another former colleague, aged 49, stated that they learned approximately three years ago that Sakurai was "taking care of girls who have nowhere to go after reaching out to their parents."