Presentation Akira

The eyes of 120 000 policie officiers were not match for the eyes of a little girl.

The case of the serial killer Akira Nishiguchi

Start

Ruriko was just 10 years old when she found the most wanted serial killer.

Akira Nishiguchi

• Born on December 14, 1925, in Osaka, Japan, to a Catholic family.
• Pressured by his father to become a priest, sent to a mission school.
• Dropped out of school, began a life of crime shortly after.

Do you know? Japan has multiple religions, including Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity, and others.

The criminal

• First arrested in 1942 (when he was 17 years old) for robbery; continued criminal activities over the years.
• Known for posing as an American, exploiting this for scams and fraud.
• Married and had children but was divorced due to his lifestyle.
• Involved in various fraudulent schemes, including impersonating U.S. officials and selling fake goods.

The serial killer

Ikuo Murata and Goro Mori (October 18, 1963)

Method: Nishiguchi learned that Murata was transporting money with his company’s delivery vehicle. He offered to help with deliveries, luring Murata to a tobacco field with a plan to rob him.

Additional Victim: After killing Murata, Nishiguchi returned to the car and fatally stabbed the driver, Goro Mori, to ensure no witnesses. He abandoned both the car and Mori's body nearby.

Aftermath:

Nishiguchi used the stolen money to impress his girlfriend, even staying with her at a hotel that night. However, the murders quickly gained media attention, and he soon learned that he was wanted nationwide.

The serial killer

Yuki and Harue Fujimi (November 14, 1963)

Location: Nishiguchi had rented a room from Yuki Fujimi in Shizuoka, using the alias "Masaoka" and claiming to be a university professor.

Execution: After staying for four nights, he strangled Yuki and her mother, Harue, using a rope.

Robbery:

Nishiguchi looted their home, taking all valuables and cash, which he pawned for around 40,000 yen. He even posed as a representative for the Fujimi family to sell their phone line, collecting an additional 100,000 yen before leaving Shizuoka.

The serial killer

Umematsu Kamiyoshi (Late December 1963)

Encounter: Nishiguchi, now desperate for money, approached Kamiyoshi, claiming to be a fellow lawyer, and gained his trust by offering assistance with a civil case.

Execution: Invited into Kamiyoshi’s home in Toshima, Nishiguchi strangled him with a necktie, robbing him of valuables and cash totaling 140,000 yen. He concealed the body in a closet, where it was found days later.

How was he caught?

Notable Event: Nishiguchi tried to evade capture by moving across Japan. However, he was eventually identified by Ruriko, the daughter of a Buddhist priest, who recognized him from a wanted poster. Arrest: After Ruriko’s father confirmed Nishiguchi’s identity, police surrounded their home overnight. Nishiguchi attempted to leave the next morning but was ambushed by the police and arrested without resistance.

Ruriko Furukawa

• Ruriko Furukawa was a ten-year-old girl living in Kumamoto, Japan. She was the daughter of Tairyu Furukawa, a Buddhist priest who led Ryugan-ji Temple in Kumamoto.

Legacy

Ruriko’s courage and alertness made her a national heroine in Japan. Her recognition of Nishiguchi and the bravery she showed in alerting her family led directly to the capture of a dangerous criminal.

"After years on the run and a life filled with lies and violence, Akira Nishiguchi’s crimes finally caught up with him. Captured thanks to the sharp eyes of a young girl, he faced trial and confessed to everything. Realizing there was no escape left, he accepted his fate, spending his final days in reflection. He reached out to his children, urging them to live better lives than he had. In the end, Nishiguchi’s story serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how far someone runs, justice will find them."

Thanks for your attention!