Sri Lankan arrested over murder of Brazilian tourist in Japan

The case has raised concerns about the increase of foreign nationals in Japan, with many querying whether the perpetrator of the crime was in the country illegally. Essential Japan reported.

Just a day after posting on social media about Japan’s safety, Ms. da Silva was found dead in her apartment.

According to the Brazil 247 website, the suspect reportedly stated that he noticed the fire but claimed he “was too shocked to put out the fire,” raising questions about the circumstances leading to the blaze and Ms. da Silva’s death.

Police suspect robbery as a primary motive, noting that Ms. da Silva’s bag and cell phone were missing from the scene. Investigations are also underway to determine if drugs or sexual assault played any role in the crime.

A UOL website report indicated that Ms. da Silva’s likely cause of death was asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation, a detail that police have conveyed to her family.

Her cousin, Thiago Borges, told the media, “It’s highly likely that it was a robbery-murder, and there are also signs of an attempt to hide the body.”

Ms. da Silva, a researcher with a master’s degree in linguistics from Caldazinha, Goiás, had traveled extensively throughout Asia. She arrived in Japan in April to attend the Formula 1 Suzuka Grand Prix

During her stay, she was deeply impressed by the serene rural landscapes and the safety of the Shinkansen bullet train.

She had even shared her positive experiences on social media, expressing her wish to live in Japan and recounting her surprise and gratitude when her lost backpack, containing cash and her passport, was safely returned after being left on the Shinkansen. “It’s a really safe country,” she had remarked.