National News

Girl, 15, found dead in Aichi Prefecture

A 15-year-old girl was found dead May 3 with black plastic tape around her neck in a rice paddy near her home in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.

Police suspect that Manami Shimizu was murdered on her way home from soccer practice at her school, which is part of the Aichi University of Education.

Police are investigating whether there is a connection between the murder and an incident April 25, when a girl was attacked by a man on a scooter. At least one other assault has taken place in the same area, sources said. (Kyodo News)

Shukan ST: May 16, 2008

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