Japan - Miyazawa family of 4 murdered, Setagaya, Tokyo, 30 Dec 2000

[vls12345]

"Three kinds of powdered fluorescent dye were found on the trainers and bag left at the scene." Wow. First time I've seen THAT detail.

I hadn't seen that detail previously either.

What would powdered fluorescent dye indicate? What could it have come from? And why?

 

[Charlot123]

I hadn't seen that detail previously either.

What would powdered fluorescent dye indicate? What could it have come from? And why?

Could be anything, of course, and I don't know how common it would be for Japan, but my first thought is, a New Year festival? Either for kids (super common in my country of origin as New Year is a huge, huge festival).

I haven't noticed it to be a big deal in US, and I don't know about Japan. But thinking of a play for kids, Santa Claus and the Ice Maiden, Santa bringing gifts, a long white beard with glittering powders, not uncommon. Or magic wand? That's usually covered with glitter.

I wonder how big is New Year in Japan? Are festivals for kids before the holiday common?

In WA, we'd take kids to the Nutcracker ballet, it is the fixture here, but i don't know why this thought suddenly came to my mind. Intuitively, popped up, so I am putting it here without any specific tie.

Maybe someone could chip in, how big is the festival in the US (the kids part - would it be important to make a NY tree party for the kids at the base, since we are considering it)? Vs how huge are kids/students pre-NY festivals in Japan?

Vs, is it a huge Korean tradition? (Off to Google).

Another question - packaging is gorgeous in Japan, much better than the gifts themselves, packaging is art. Would glitter be typical for some packaging paper? On the ribbons? Maybe the perp was opening the gifts? Or is gift delivery before the NY common? Did the Miyazawa get gifts delivered?

ETA. Christmas tree ornaments, and this is where you'd get different colors of glitter. Either putting up (less likely, as he won't be walking like this for 10 days), or dismantling. That glitter would be usually thicker than decorative cosmetic.

 

[Charlot123]

I started reading about the Japanese New Year. Two things drew my attention. A. Nengajo. These postcards are to arrive on January 1st. It is a cultural tradition. They can be bought or handmade. Can have glitter. Important: (wiki: "to deliver them on time, the post office usually hires students part-time.")

Nengajo - How to Make a Japanese Christmas/New Year’s Card | Fukuoka Now

Fukuoka Now shows you how to spread the New Year’s Cheer this December with nengajo, the ultimate winter greeting card!...

www.fukuoka-now.com

But: they also have lottery numbers printed on the bottom. In short, the cards should not have come that year because of deaths in the family, but the truth is, they were sent well in advance (Dec 15 or so) because of traditions, so, they probably came anyhow. I am interested if there were nengajo that year in Miyazawa's house. If they came as usual, not suspicious. If there were none (and I assume they should have been delivered because delivery was set up way before the murders), then maybe the perp pretended to be a student deliverer, brought them early on the 30th, later, penetrated the house, and then, during the invasion, took them as they, first, came too early, and also, one might have had a winning lottery number.

Another thing he could have taken? Pochibukuro, the envelopes with children's money. There was nothing about pochibukiro, but a lot about Shūgi-bukuro - Wikipedia, gift bags. From what I understand, the important part of Shūgi-bukuro is a mizuhiki cord, and that can have different decorations. Not sure that the glitter came from pochibukiro, but would be interested to know if the perp stole Niina's and Rei's envelopes with monetary gifts. They were probably ready by the 30th.

 

[Lubilu]

Could be anything, of course, and I don't know how common it would be for Japan, but my first thought is, a New Year festival? Either for kids (super common in my country of origin as New Year is a huge, huge festival).

I haven't noticed it to be a big deal in US, and I don't know about Japan. But thinking of a play for kids, Santa Claus and the Ice Maiden, Santa bringing gifts, a long white beard with glittering powders, not uncommon. Or magic wand? That's usually covered with glitter.

I wonder how big is New Year in Japan? Are festivals for kids before the holiday common?

In WA, we'd take kids to the Nutcracker ballet, it is the fixture here, but i don't know why this thought suddenly came to my mind. Intuitively, popped up, so I am putting it here without any specific tie.

Maybe someone could chip in, how big is the festival in the US (the kids part - would it be important to make a NY tree party for the kids at the base, since we are considering it)? Vs how huge are kids/students pre-NY festivals in Japan?

Vs, is it a huge Korean tradition? (Off to Google).

Another question - packaging is gorgeous in Japan, much better than the gifts themselves, packaging is art. Would glitter be typical for some packaging paper? On the ribbons? Maybe the perp was opening the gifts? Or is gift delivery before the NY common? Did the Miyazawa get gifts delivered?

ETA. Christmas tree ornaments, and this is where you'd get different colors of glitter. Either putting up (less likely, as he won't be walking like this for 10 days), or dismantling. That glitter would be usually thicker than decorative cosmetic.

These are interesting ideas, but it says 'fluorescent powder', not glitter. I think they'd say 'glitter' if that was what was found.

The powder is also mentioned in this article from a couple of years ago: Police seek public’s help over Setagaya family murders in 2000

"Following the murders, police deduced that the clothes, including a sweater, and knife left at the scene had been bought in Kanagawa Prefecture. Three kinds of powdered fluorescent dye were found on the trainers and bag left at the scene. In the pocket of the sweater, which had only gone on sale two months before the killings took place, traces of bird dropping, Japanese zelkova tree and willow leaves were found."

 

[FacelessPodcast]

Setagaya family murders remain unsolved 23 years later

Police have renewed their appeal for any information from the public that might help solve the murders of a family of four in the house in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward 23 years ago. Last week, police handed out flyers appealing for information at Seijogakuenmae train station, as they have done each…

japantoday.com

There's actually zero new information in this article. And how could there be? There have been zero breaks in the case (so far as the TMPD have released).

RE: the dyes on his shoes. My first question is: how can the police know this? He didn't leave his shoes behind, they're working off footprint evidence in the blood pools. I think it's more likely these traces relate to the clothes or the bag. At any rate, Mikio did have a background working in theatre. He also has an IMDB credit for his work on the Inspector Gadget series. There are photos of him working on toy aeroplanes. So, we know he had a creative or crafting side. This is one potential link to the killer. But, having spoken to the chief, that dye took them nowhere. Certainly, if we're going to lend credence to dye on his clothing, why not sand grains which can be geographically located? Especially if they're from another country.

As for some kind of connection to nativity scenes and the like. It's possible, of course, but I find it unlikely. Particularly 23 years ago. Especially during this end of year period when people are actually on holiday in numbers in Japan. Also, why is fluorescent dye connected to Christmas? Then again, my knowledge of xmas decoration fabrication is limited!

The only line in this article that speaks to me: Fingerprints and other evidence in the home indicate the killer used the computer and ate ice cream after the attack on Dec 30, spending several hours in the house before leaving the next morning before dawn.

Here they seem to confirm that the killer did NOT leave just before the grandmother turn up. He left under cover of darkness, as I've speculated before. These national papers tend to form part of the 'press club' meaning they're the only ones who actually have a direct line into the TMPD so I think it's fair to assume they're right.

 

[dotr]

Maybe the perp used the coloured dye to make sand art? A Xmas gift, or perhaps the perp works with children, or has a young sibling (one he resents?) speculation, imo.
On a different note, was the perp's shoe size known?

https://www.amazon.ca/Photoluminescent-Fluorescent-GEiNNOVA-Graffiti-Luminous/dp/B073XLW25K

 

[Shamrock1]

Random thoughts on fluorescent powder dyes: crafts, fingerprinting, leak detection, and the Hindu celebration of Holi in March.

 

[Charlot123]

These are interesting ideas, but it says 'fluorescent powder', not glitter. I think they'd say 'glitter' if that was what was found.

The powder is also mentioned in this article from a couple of years ago: Police seek public’s help over Setagaya family murders in 2000

"Following the murders, police deduced that the clothes, including a sweater, and knife left at the scene had been bought in Kanagawa Prefecture. Three kinds of powdered fluorescent dye were found on the trainers and bag left at the scene. In the pocket of the sweater, which had only gone on sale two months before the killings took place, traces of bird dropping, Japanese zelkova tree and willow leaves were found."

Interesting, thank you. I reacted to "glitter". To bring out fluorescence on clothes, one needs blacklight pen. Today, fluorescent dyes are used in industry, but more in biology, genetics and medicine (surgery). But I don't know where would be the maximum use in 2001.

ETA: I suspect the police found fluorescent powder because they subjected the clothes to blue light to find blood or semen. But here is the list of common household substances that fluorescence

Glowing Secrets: Everyday Materials Revealed Under Black Light

What Materials Glow Under a Black or Ultraviolet Light?

blog.aramsco.com

If it were one type, I'd think, laundry powder. 3 types, I'd like to know the colors of fluorescence. But I am now wondering if the murderer has sensory processing disorder. He might carry the sand from the desert to calm him dowm, as an old type of stim toy. Could he carry some other powders for the same reason? Just "feels calming".

 

[Lubilu]

Interesting, thank you. I reacted to "glitter". To bring out fluorescence on clothes, one needs blacklight pen. Today, fluorescent dyes are used in industry, but more in biology, genetics and medicine (surgery). But I don't know where would be the maximum use in 2001.

Yeah, it's interesting. I've heard of dyes/powders being used like this as a deterrent for shoplifters, but I'm not sure that was being done in 2001. This article is from a decade later: DNA spray marks out thieves

... But I haven't done any real research into this usage yet - I'll post here if I do and if I find anything interesting!

 

[dms]

Powdered dye can be used as a pigment when mixing your own paint. It really does sound like something that might have been found at the scene, but I'd think LE would not bother to mention the powder if that was the case.

Someone said this earlier and it's so true -- every new detail I learn about this case muddies the waters further.

 

[dms]

RE: the dyes on his shoes. My first question is: how can the police know this? He didn't leave his shoes behind, they're working off footprint evidence in the blood pools. I think it's more likely these traces relate to the clothes or the bag.

So "trainers" has to be a typo or a mistranslation, right? @FacelessPodcast - Nic, do you still speak to the chief?

 

[vls12345]

Yeah, it's interesting. I've heard of dyes/powders being used like this as a deterrent for shoplifters, but I'm not sure that was being done in 2001. This article is from a decade later: DNA spray marks out thieves

... But I haven't done any real research into this usage yet - I'll post here if I do and if I find anything interesting!

This is what I thought of when I read about the powders yesterday -- the stuff that used to be (or still is?) in security tags placed on luxury items (clothes, accessories) in stores.

 

[tes1984]

Someone said this earlier and it's so true -- every new detail I learn about this case muddies the waters further.

I agree!
My thoughts at the moment are:
1. The killer probably left the country, possibly for the USA.
2. The sand is an important clue.
3. Such family murders (when not committed by a relative) are often committed by paranoid schizophrenics, yet this killer seems far more fashion conscious than any schizophrenic killer I've read about.
4. The killer enjoyed these murders and the aftermath. Yet hasn't struck since which makes me suspect he died or was institutionalised soon after leaving the country.

 

[Charlot123]

Maybe the perp used the coloured dye to make sand art? A Xmas gift, or perhaps the perp works with children, or has a young sibling (one he resents?) speculation, imo.
On a different note, was the perp's shoe size known?

https://www.amazon.ca/Photoluminescent-Fluorescent-GEiNNOVA-Graffiti-Luminous/dp/B073XLW25K

View attachment 471007

A kid who carries bird droppings and leaves in his pockets is different in many ways. MOO.
Today, he'd be probably into kinetic sand.
Kinetic sand may be made at home and fluorescent dye helps it glow in the dark. (More fun)

How to Make Kinetic Sand (just 3 Ingredients!)

In this article, we will explore what kinetic sand is, what it is made of, and what it is used for. And then, I have

adayinourshoes.com

 

[AnyNameIWish]

Re: the use of the word "trainer" in Japanese, refers to a US sweatshirt or UK sweater.

トレーナー

There are many similar odd translations, like Pantene conditioner is referred to as a 'Rinse'.

 

[Charlot123]

I agree!
My thoughts at the moment are:
1. The killer probably left the country, possibly for the USA.
2. The sand is an important clue.
3. Such family murders (when not committed by a relative) are often committed by paranoid schizophrenics, yet this killer seems far more fashion conscious than any schizophrenic killer I've read about.
4. The killer enjoyed these murders and the aftermath. Yet hasn't struck since which makes me suspect he died or was. soon after leaving the country.

MOO - today, if this happened, the parents would bring a kid to a child psychologist in the US after their return - for the proper diagnosis and disability. If anything, it would be potentially protective. At the time of 2001, the diagnosis I am thinking of was not a household name. Maybe sign him into a major adolescent psychiatric hospital (in NY, MA, maybe CA) for a brief stay would be the way to go.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

A kid who carries bird droppings and leaves in his pockets is different in many ways. MOO.
Today, he'd be probably into kinetic sand.
Kinetic sand may be made at home and fluorescent dye helps it glow in the dark. (More fun)

How to Make Kinetic Sand (just 3 Ingredients!)

In this article, we will explore what kinetic sand is, what it is made of, and what it is used for. And then, I have

adayinourshoes.com

When I read that the sweater pocket contained traces of bird droppings and tree leaves, I don't think that someone intentionally put leaves and bird droppings into their pocket.

I think that someone put an object into their pocket -- a stick, or rock, or pinecone, or even a manmade object such as a toy or book or wallet or keys -- and that the object had been outdoors in a place where *it* had picked up traces of bird droppings and a bit of leaf.

I wonder if they researched where that species of tree might be found in the city, and what species of bird made the dropping (if that's possible) or even other locational clues based on the composition of the bird dropping. Maybe that would have focused attention on a certain part of the city where the perp spent time?

MOO

 

[Charlot123]

One question.
That waist bag with the sand...was it full of the sand, or just contained a little bit? Might be important because today, we have weighted vests, weighted blankets, weighted beanie bags, there is a whole industry. In 2001, not only it was all undeveloped, but the concept behind was poorly known. And one lpmore thing - this waist/lapbag was from earlier times than the clothes. Judging by the bag itself, it is not the waist zipper bag that I was taking to work in the 90es (money, key, eyeglasses). Mine was zippered, leather and not too comfy. The one I saw pictured is more square-shaped and if full of sand, would be definitely sensory.

Why I got into it? Just because I wonder if, indeed, the perpetrator lived in US as a kid and then went to Japan, as a kid, he might have had an OT specialist who used sand weights to calm and for sensory development. We are talking about the time before Japan...I think the bag dates back to 1998? And was it from a separate desert? Maybe someone around that area?

(Question makes sense only if there was enough sand in the bag. If there were just several grains, then, my idea is wrong).

 

[Charlot123]

I think it's more likely these traces relate to the clothes or the bag. At any rate, Mikio did have a background working in theatre. He also has an IMDB credit for his work on the Inspector Gadget series. There are photos of him working on toy aeroplanes. So, we know he had a creative or crafting side. This is one potential link to the killer. But, having spoken to the chief, that dye took them nowhere. Certainly, if we're going to lend credence to dye on his clothing, why not sand grains which can be geographically located? Especially if they're from another country.

Respectfully snipped for brevity. I had to Google Edwards air base, the idea was to look for larger towns around it. And to my surprise, it has an interesting history dating back to WWII. Even more interesting, they have excursions. Not that often and you have to call and organize it, they probably vet you, but the fact that it is mentioned is interesting.

I have one person in the family who dreams of aeroplanes. One is enough, because everything, museums, models, bases that are open, more museums are now on our way. We have significantly expanded the tourism to the most disinteresting towns of WA because once, someone chanced to land there. And how many people do I know who make models of airplanes!

What if the perpetrator was not living at the base but just went for an excursion? What if he was into aeroplanes? Had the perp lived here, i can immediately tell where he could have crossed paths with someone like Mikio, a creative person making models of aeroplanes - we have a Museum of Flight where all plane aficionados, wannabe pilots or such get together or volunteer, or visit a store.

Is there such a place in Tokyo? And could Mikio cross path there with someone interested in aeroplanes?

The murderer had to kill four people. Maybe all it took was a chance meeting where dad came with Rei, and that triggered the perp, whose principle, as I can see, is to leave no witnesses?

ETA: did any of Mikio's models disappear?

 

[maamager]

That waist bag with the sand...was it full of the sand, or just contained a little bit? Might be important because today, we have weighted vests, weighted blankets, weighted beanie bags, there is a whole industry. In 2001, not only it was all undeveloped, but the concept behind was poorly known. And one lpmore thing - this waist/lapbag was from earlier times than the clothes.

Why I got into it? Just because I wonder if, indeed, the perpetrator lived in US as a kid and then went to Japan, as a kid, he might have had an OT specialist who used sand weights to calm and for sensory development.

RSB
Traces of sand were found in the murderer's fanny pack that they left behind. I encourage you to listen to the podcast as it does a great job of analyzing what the killer wore, left behind, etc etc down to the likely make/model/. Whoever murdered this family left an abundance of DNA behind it almost feels like a caricature in itself that the most illuminating piece of evidence (thus far IMO and purely IMO) is the sand that suggests a very specific part of a specific desert in the USA. Again, the pod goes way more into detail of the science of this

It's December 31st as I type this, and in 2000, the family was waking up to the news of their dead family. Why would someone do this at all, much less a holiday? Who is missing this person as the holidays ween down?