Actor Nijirō Murakami investigated for alleged assault on ex-partner

Japanese actor Nijirō Murakami, known for his role in Netflix's "Alice in Borderland," is facing an investigation for alleged assault against a former partner. The alleged incidents reportedly took place between March and May 2024 at Murakami's Tokyo residence. According to a report by Nikkan Sports, the woman sustained injuries on at least four occasions, including blows that caused her head to hit a window, as well as punches and hair pulling. These injuries reportedly took approximately one month to heal. Following an initial investigation by the Harajuku police station, the case has been forwarded to prosecutors for further review. The situation has drawn significant attention in Japan, particularly as Murakami has reportedly partially admitted to the allegations, stating, "There is no doubt that I hurt her." Neither Murakami nor his agency have issued an official statement regarding the case. The woman filed a complaint against the actor and provided her account to authorities. Murakami, son of actor Jun Murakami and singer UA, debuted as an actor in 2014 and gained international recognition through "Alice in Borderland." He was also slated to star in the upcoming TV Tokyo series "Strange – Junji Ito's Strange Tales That Keep You Awake at Night," set to premiere in July. However, following the revelations, the broadcaster's public relations department stated they are "evaluating how to proceed."