Naked man’s deadly rampage in Japan leaves public demanding answers from police

“I shouldn’t talk about it,” he said when arrested, leading people to speculate on the motive behind his bizarre behaviour

Japanese authorities are investigating a naked man’s violent 90-minute rampage across Saitama Prefecture that left one person dead, nearly a dozen injured and the public demanding answers – including why more than a week later, no details of drug or alcohol tests have been disclosed.

The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Daisuke Nishimura, has been arrested and is expected to face a growing list of charges over a spree that reportedly included multiple assaults, vehicle thefts, car crashes and a violent intrusion at a cram school. Police say they are still piecing together at least 20 separate incidents across several cities.

The first emergency call came in at about 8.15pm on April 21, when a “suspicious tattooed man” was reported driving slowly through a residential area in Kawaguchi, a city in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

At around 8.30pm in Warabi, a small city just outside the prefecture’s capital Saitama city, Nishimura allegedly crashed his car into a convenience store, Nippon TV reported.

He was seen again at Saitama city some 20 minutes later where he hit two motorcyclists, both in their forties, killing one and leaving the other with serious injuries.

Fleeing the scene, Nishimura crashed head-on into another car at an intersection. He emerged from his vehicle, revealing his naked tattooed body, to pull the other driver out and steal the car that he had crashed into.

According to SoraNews24, Nishimura then allegedly drove the stolen car back to Kawaguchi, where he stopped at a convenience store and shoplifted some items at around 9pm, before crashing his stolen car into a taxi carrying two passengers.

He dragged the elderly driver out while threatening to kill him, and drove away in the taxi with the passengers still in the back.

After driving for about 20 minutes into neighbouring Soka city, Nishimura allegedly hit a crash barrier. The passengers managed to escape without serious injuries.

Assault at cram school

He was later caught on camera screaming and attempting to break into a house before finally entering a cram school at about 9.30pm.

As the teachers and students escaped through a back window, Nishimura allegedly struck a teacher in the face with a mug, an injury that required 10 stitches, the NHK reported.

Police, who had received dozens of reports of sightings of the naked Nishimura by then, arrived shortly after and arrested him at the cram school.

When questioned, Nishimura offered little explanation, simply saying: “I shouldn’t talk about it.”

Authorities are now investigating the multiple incidents that occurred across the cities, with Nishimura expected to face more charges in addition to the initial ones of trespass and assault.

No mentions of his results for alcohol or drug tests have been reported.

Japanese citizens reacted with anger and bewilderment to the news.

“I’m shocked that more than 20 crimes have been committed just like that,” one netizen posted.

Some speculated that the Nishimura might have been naked so that he could plead insanity later.

Others demanded more accountability from authorities, noting that there had not been any updates about his background or drug tests since the incident occurred over a week ago.