Yuki Muto KYODO PHOTO

The sources also said the police investigation suggests that Yuki Muto, who is under arrest, fatally hit his 20-year-old sister Azumi Muto in the head with a wooden sword and inflicted 15 cuts on her body, mainly at the joints.

The suspect, who was arrested Jan. 4, also appears to have tried to cover up his deeds by wiping off bloodstains from the crime site.

Muto, whose parents are dentists, reportedly told police he was under strong pressure by his parents to enter a dental college and felt restricted in his daily life.

Police believe his psychological state was behind the slaying, the sources said. After failing his dental college entrance exams for three years in a row, Muto was preparing for another one with hopes of entering school in the spring.

The sources said the siblings had been at odds and spoke little to each other over the last three years.

Muto was quoted as saying that on Dec. 30, his sister started to challenge his academic abilities. According to him, she said, "You say you have had poor scores (only) because you don't work hard (enough). But I doubt it. I have a dream, but you don't."

He allegedly killed her later that day. The college where Azumi Muto was a student issued a statement saying it regrets the loss of someone with a bright future.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 13, 2007
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