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Man Arrested for Stalking HKT48 Idol Group Member

posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Man had exhibited behavior reminiscent of a stalker on multiple occasions

Fukuoka prefectural police arrested a man on Sunday for suspicion of violating the anti-stalker law. The man had allegedly been loitering suspiciously near the Fukuoka city residence of an 18-year-old female HKT48 idol group member.

According to the police, the suspect is a 44-year-old man named Yoshio Arata. He resides in area two of the Baikōen neighborhood in the Chūō ward of Fukuoka city. From May 29 to June 22 he allegedly exhibited behaviors reminiscent of a stalker, such as driving a vehicle slowly around the perimeter of the idol's residence. The idol's family claimed to have witnessed Arata take a garbage bag from the residence on May 29, which prompted them to contact the authorities. According to police, Arata stated that he thought if he "passed by the house I would meet her."

Arata had allegedly been participating in HKT48 handshake events for three years. The idol reported that she has seen Arata at a nearby train station multiple times.

HKT48 is AKB48's Fukuoka-based sister group, founded in 2011 under the same brand concept of "idols you can meet."

Source: Asahi Shimbun Digital via Hachima Kikō


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