Officers investigate the site near where a woman was found dead in Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, on Dec. 13, 2021. (Mainichi/Misaki Morokuma)

       OTSU -- A man and a woman have been arrested by Shiga Prefectural Police in western Japan on suspicion of kidnapping a high school girl who was found dead in the male suspect's house.

       The victim was Sena Shinohara, 19, a resident of Kyoto's Fushimi Ward. The suspects, Koshiro Irie, 38, of Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, and Emu Kinjo, 21, of the Gifu Prefecture city of Seki, allegedly plotted together to ask Shinohara out by cell phone at around 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 11, met up with her in Kyoto, and brought her to Irie's house at around 6 p.m. the same day.

       The suspects and Shinohara are believed to have been acquainted with each other through social media. Irie has reportedly told police that it was the first time he met with Shinohara in person. Kinjo apparently has admitted to the allegations, while Irie is quoted as telling police, "I didn't conspire (with Kinjo). I didn't kidnap her."

       The case came to light after the fire department reported to police at around 11 a.m. on Dec. 12 that "a woman is lying in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest (at Irie's house)."

       The prefectural police are investigating the details of the incident.

       (Japanese original by Kengo Suga, Otsu Bureau)

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