Podcasts News Asian Insider S1E6: Japan: Killer prowled Twitter for the suicidal

S1E6: Japan: Killer prowled Twitter for the suicidal

Published: Sept. 25, 2023, 4 p.m.

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Journey into the darkest corners of the internet, where a deadly connection was forged in 140 characters or less.

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Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. This is the sixth and final episode of True Crimes Of Asia, a special edition podcast series that started on April 25, 2023.

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Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. This episode specifically covers themes of suicide and details of death and traumatic sexual acts. Listener discretion is advised, and helplines for mental well-being are provided further below.

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Nine heads and 240 bones were found in a tiny apartment just outside Tokyo on Halloween in 2017, in one of Japan\'s most shocking crimes in history.

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Takahiro Shiraishi baited suicidal victims on Twitter who wanted to die but lacked the courage to end their own lives.

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He posed as an expert in hanging but his real motives were sex and money.

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Shiraishi has been sentenced to death \\u2013 by hanging \\u2013 and is now in a maximum-security prison. The case had sparked conversations about social media scrutiny and suicide in Japan.

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ST\'s Japan correspondent Walter Sim narrates this podcast.

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Highlights (click/tap above):

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1:16 Shiraishi\'s motives and modus operandi

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5:47 What led Shiraishi down this path

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9:28 Shiraishi meets his first victim

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16:43 Justice catches up with Shiraishi\\xa0

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22:19 Social implications of Shiraishi\'s crimes, and how not much has changed since then

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Interviews & narration by: Walter Sim

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Executive Producers: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) and Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg)

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Podcast Producers: Eden Soh and Fa\\u2019izah Sani

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Voiceovers: Paxton Pang, Li Yi, Aqil Hamzah, Hadyu Rahim, David Sun, Edeh Soh, Mubin Saadat

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Reference for research: \\u201cReport: Nine Murders in Zama - Why were victims drawn to it?\\u201d by Tetsuya Shibui (\\u300e\\u30eb\\u30dd\\u3000\\u5ea7\\u9593\\uff19\\u4eba\\u6bba\\u5bb3\\u4e8b\\u4ef6\\uff5e\\u88ab\\u5bb3\\u8005\\u306f\\u306a\\u305c\\u5f15\\u304d\\u5bc4\\u305b\\u3089\\u308c\\u305f\\u306e\\u304b\\uff5e\\u300f)

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MENTAL WELL-BEING

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  • Institute of Mental Health\\u2019s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
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  • Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours)
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  • Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
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  • Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
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  • Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788\\xa0
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  • Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1\\xa0
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COUNSELLING

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  • TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
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  • TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555
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  • Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
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  • Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366
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ONLINE RESOURCES

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Follow ST\\u2019s True Crimes Of Asia every 4th Tuesday of the month here:

Channel: https://str.sg/i44T

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44q

Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Read Walter Sim\'s articles: https://str.sg/ws6J\\xa0

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Discover more ST podcast channels:

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COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore\\u2019s War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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#truecrimes

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