"She didn't pay me back" - Fan Stabs Airi Sato Over 30 Times During Livestream in Japan

A Deadly Encounter Caught Live

On the morning of March 11, 2025, 22-year-old Japanese livestreamer Airi Sato, known online as Mogami Ai, was fatally stabbed more than 30 times while livestreaming in Tokyo’s Takadanobaba district.

The attack occurred shortly before 10 a.m., according to police reports.

A Final Livestream Interrupted by Violence

Sato was broadcasting a livestream titled “Walking a Full Loop of the Yamanote Line” when the attack occurred.

Viewers reportedly heard her scream for help before the stream cut off, raising immediate alarm among her audience.

Based on a report by Tokyo Hive, a witness later described seeing her collapsed on the ground, bleeding, while the suspect, 42-year-old Kenichi Takano, pointed his smartphone at her face after the stabbing.

Suspect Surrenders at the Scene

When police arrived after receiving an emergency call at 9.55 PM, Takano surrendered and admitted to the crime.

Officers arrested him on attempted murder charges, which were later upgraded to murder after Sato was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Despite the severity of the attack, Takano denied intent to kill, telling police:

“I loaned her money, but she didn’t pay me back. I wasn’t trying to kill her.”

However, Sato had suffered multiple stab wounds to her face, neck, and torso, casting doubt on his claim. Police recovered a bloodied knife at the scene and found a second knife in Takano’s backpack.

Furthermore, a tripod, believed to be Sato’s, was also found at the scene.

Additionally, Takano will be evaluated by the authorities to determine whether he is mentally capable of facing criminal responsibility.

A Financial Dispute That Turned Deadly

According to reports and court proceedings, Takano first became Sato’s fan in December 2021 when he discovered her livestreams.

He also stated to police, “I started meeting her three years ago by visiting the restaurant where she worked.”

Over time, their interactions became financially entangled, with Sato repeatedly borrowing money from him. Court documents also show that Takano lent her 2.5 million yen (approximately SGD 22,542) over several years.

Patterns of Borrowing Money

Initially, Sato claimed she needed small amounts due to forgetting her wallet, but her requests grew larger.

According to Shueisha Online, in LINE messages leaked to the press, she asked for money for an expensive champagne bottle at a club, family financial troubles, and her sister’s debts to a host club.

In a report by NHK, Takano also filed a civil lawsuit against Sato and secured a court ruling in his favor in December 2023. However, Sato still did not repay him.

Frustrated, he consulted a lawyer and police, but instead of pursuing legal enforcement, he tracked her location through her livestream and confronted her in person.

The Dark Side of Online Fame: A Parasocial Relationship Turns Obsessive

Sato’s murder sheds light on the dangers of parasocial relationships, where fans develop one-sided emotional attachments to online personalities.

In addition to this, Takano also had reportedly borrowed from loan agencies to continue financially supporting Sato, deepening his fixation.

Leaked messages suggested that he felt manipulated, but rather than seeking further legal action, he turned to violence.

Online Sympathy for the Murderer Sparks Controversy

While many condemned Takano’s actions, a disturbing number of online users sympathized with him, blaming Sato for taking advantage of his generosity.

A viral post, which received 38,000 likes before being deleted, claimed:

“She lost in court and ignored an order to repay him. That makes Mogami Ai the aggressor. She brought it on herself.”

Sato’s tragic death saw the dangers faced by female livestreamers.

As online personalities blur the lines between personal and professional relationships, the risk of fan obsession escalating into violence becomes an ever-growing concern.

Top photos from Tokyo Hive and courtesy of Kotaro Ebara via The Asahi Shimbun

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