Japan’s Elusive Fugitive, Satoshi Kirishima, Revealed to Have Lived Double Life for Nearly Five Decades
In a shocking turn of events, one of Japan’s most wanted fugitives, Satoshi Kirishima, has reportedly died at the age of 70 after nearly 50 years evading authorities for his involvement in deadly bombings during the 1970s. The elusive fugitive’s black-and-white photo had been a constant presence at police stations across the country, creating an enduring mystery that has captivated the nation.
Last week, Kirishima, identified by his distinct long hair, youthful smile, and slightly askew glasses, admitted himself to a hospital under a false name for cancer treatment, according to Japanese media. The revelation of his true identity stirred public interest, with his youthful face being so widely recognized that it even inspired viral Halloween costumes.
However, police were still in the process of conducting DNA tests to confirm Kirishima’s identity when he reportedly passed away on Monday morning. Despite the lack of official confirmation, a police source stated, “There is a very high possibility that this individual is actually Kirishima.”
Details are emerging about how Kirishima managed to remain hidden in plain sight for decades. Born in Hiroshima in 1954, he embraced radical far-left politics while studying at a university in Tokyo. He joined the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front, a militant group responsible for several bombings in Tokyo between 1972 and 1975, including a deadly attack at the headquarters of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1974.
Kirishima had been on the run since allegedly assisting in setting up a bomb in Tokyo’s Ginza district in April 1975, which caused damage but resulted in no casualties. Wanted posters described him as 160 cm tall, with “thick and rather large” lips and very short-sighted.
Reports suggest that Kirishima lived a double life, working at a building contractor in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, under the alias Hiroshi Uchida. He received cash payments and operated without health insurance or a driving license, managing to avoid detection.
At the hospital in Kamakura, where he sought treatment for stomach cancer under his real name, Kirishima finally confessed to his true identity. “I want to meet my death with my real name,” he reportedly told hospital staff.
Nine other members of the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front were arrested, but Kirishima remained at large until his recent revelation and subsequent demise. His story adds another chapter to the complex history of radical groups in Japan during the 1970s.
Satoshi Kirishima, a fugitive wanted in connection with bombings by leftist extremists in Japan during the 1970s, reportedly died after nearly 50 years on the run.https://t.co/hhqZvvfeTP
β News24 πΏπ¦ (@News24) January 29, 2024