Unsolved: The Setagaya Family Murders Haunt Japan After 25 Years

Early on December 30, retired police chief Takeshi Tsuchida, 78, visited a Tokyo grave. He placed flowers and prayed for the Miyazawa family. Twenty-five years ago, Mikio Miyazawa, his wife, and their two young children were killed in their home in Setagaya, a wealthy Tokyo district. The case remains Japan's most famous unsolved murder. Tsuchida was head of the local police station when the crime happened. He has never forgotten it. The unknown killer entered the family's house, murdered all four, and stayed for hours. The person ate food, used the computer, and left many clues. Police found the killer's DNA, clothing, and other evidence. But the suspect has never been identified. This massive investigation with over 280,000 items of information failed to find an answer. The mystery troubles the public and embarrasses the police. For Tsuchida and many others, the case is not closed. They still wait for justice a quarter of a century later.