Japan police arrest woman for allegedly sewing housemate's lips shut

Police in Koga, Japan, arrested a 49-year-old woman on suspicion of assault after she allegedly sewed her housemate's lips shut with a needle and thread. The incident occurred on June 29, and the victim, a 42-year-old woman, managed to escape the residence. She rushed to a nearby shop and held up a sign that read "please help me," prompting authorities to intervene.

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please help me

Officials from the Ibaraki prefecture police confirmed the arrest of Masae Sakurai on Monday. Sakurai lived with the victim at the time of the alleged attack. According to a police spokesman, the victim told investigators that Sakurai became angry over a "trouble" and proceeded to sew her lips.

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the suspect became angry over a trouble and my lips were sewn

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the assault. They are also looking into unconfirmed reports that a third individual may have been living at the house where the incident took place. Senior local police official Makoto Hiyama provided details of the victim's escape and plea for help.

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on suspicion of assault