Kiyoshi Ōkubo


Kiyoshi Ōkubo was a Japanese serial killer. Between March 31, 1971 and May 10, 1971, he raped and murdered eight women, ages 16 to 21. He used a pen name, Tanigawa Ivan.

Early life

Ōkubo was born in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. He was a quarter Russian. His mother, who was half Russian and half Japanese, doted on him even after he grew up. He was bullied by other children after the Pacific War began on December 8, 1941. He raped a woman on July 12, 1955. On December 26, 1955, he attempted to rape another woman, but was unsuccessful. He was arrested, put in jail, and then released on December 15, 1959. On April 16, 1960, he attempted to rape another woman, but was again unsuccessful. The victim, however, withdrew the charge. On May 5, 1961, he married a woman and had a son and a daughter. He threatened a man on June 3, 1965, and then raped two women on December 23, 1966 and February 24, 1967. On June 7, 1967, he went to prison. He was released on March 3, 1971.

Murders

Between March 31 and May 10, 1971, he killed eight women. On May 13, a 21-year-old woman disappeared, and her brother traced her. He found Ōkubo and the police finally arrested him on May 14.
  1. Miyako Tsuda - 17 years old
  2. Mieko Oikawa - 17 years old
  3. Chieko Ida - 19 years old
  4. Seiko Kawabata - 17 years old
  5. Akemi Sato - 16 years old
  6. Kazuyo Kawaho - 18 years old
  7. Reiko Takemura - 21 years old
  8. Naoko Takanohashi - 21 years old

    Trial and execution

The district court in Maebashi sentenced Ōkubo to death by hanging on February 22, 1973. He did not appeal and was executed on January 22, 1976. It was reported that he couldn't stand up on the day of his execution.

TV drama

On August 29, 1983, Ōkubo's crime became a TV drama, The Crime of Kiyoshi Ōkubo. Takeshi Kitano played Ōkubo in the drama.