Sailor sought for questioning in cab driver stabbing

[unhappycamper]

Sailor sought for questioning in cab driver stabbing
By Tomoko Hasaka - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Mar 21, 2008 14:00:07 EDT

YOKOHAMA, Japan — U.S. and Japanese authorities searched for a U.S. sailor for questioning Friday in the killing of a Japanese taxi driver near an American naval base, a U.S. military official said. The 61-year-old victim, Masaaki Takahashi of Tokyo, was found Wednesday night in Yokosuka with a kitchen knife with an 8-inch blade stuck deeply in his neck, police said. An autopsy shows he died from blood loss.

“Since the incident happened close to the base, both U.S. Navy and Japanese authorities are interested in talking to a number of persons, including a U.S. sailor, who may have information pertinent to the case,” said Cmdr. David Waterman, spokesman for Commander U.S. Naval Forces Japan.

Waterman refused to say why the sailor might have information on the case or whether he was a suspect. Kanagawa Prefecture police, where Yokosuka is located, would not comment on whether they had identified a suspect.

Local media reported that the credit card of a crew member of a 7th Fleet warship was found in the taxi and that the sailor had been missing from the base for several weeks. His name has not been released.

Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters that he had information that a U.S. sailor might be connected to the case, but he refused to release any further details. Japanese police also declined to speak about the possible military connection.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/03/kyo_slaindriver_032008/