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Killing of Yoshimi, Mayumi, and Hideyuki Nozu (Takarazuka familicide)

SOLVED2020Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

On the morning of 4 June 2020, in Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, Hideaki Nozu, then 23, killed three members of his family — his 75-year-old grandmother, Yoshimi; his 47-year-old mother, Mayumi; and his 22-year-old brother, Hideyuki — and seriously wounded his 49-year-old aunt, using a crossbow. The aunt escaped the house and called for help; police arrived and arrested Nozu at the scene, where he said he had intended to kill his family.

At the time, Nozu was a university student in Kobe who had stopped attending classes and had largely withdrawn to his home; the university had expelled him for absence, though he had not yet been told. He had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in childhood and had a documented history of suicidality. According to evidence presented at trial, he had planned the attack over a period of years and acquired the crossbows in advance, and he told investigators he had hoped that killing several family members would lead to his own execution.

Nozu's trial began in September 2025 after a delay attributed to his mental health. His defence argued diminished responsibility; prosecutors sought the death penalty. On 31 October 2025 he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the presiding judge, Chiwaki Matsuda, citing Nozu's condition and the fact that the crime was confined to his own family. The case contributed to a 2022 change in Japanese law requiring a licence to possess a crossbow.

Key facts

Victims
Mayumi Nozu, Hideyuki Nozu, Yoshimi Nozu
Date
2020
Location
Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 2020-06-04

    Hideaki Nozu shoots and kills his grandmother Yoshimi, his brother Hideyuki, and his mother Mayumi with a crossbow at their home in Takarazuka, and shoots and injures his aunt; he is arrested at the scene.

  2. 2022-03

    Japan enacts a licensing requirement making crossbow possession illegal without a license, partly in response to the Takarazuka case.

  3. 2025-09

    Nozu's trial commences after a three-year delay attributed to his mental health.

  4. 2025-10-31

    Nozu is sentenced to life imprisonment; the death penalty sought by prosecutors is not imposed.

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People

  • Mayumi Nozu

    VICTIM

    47-year-old mother, killed by gunshot from a crossbow to the side of the head

  • Hideyuki Nozu

    VICTIM

    22-year-old brother, shot twice in the head with a crossbow and died of his wounds

  • Yoshimi Nozu

    VICTIM

    75-year-old grandmother, killed by gunshot from a crossbow to the back of the head

  • Hideaki Nozu

    CONVICTED

    23-year-old grandson/son/brother; convicted of killing three family members and injuring a fourth with a crossbow, sentenced to life imprisonment on 31 October 2025

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

34.7982, 135.3606

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
On 4 June 2020, a 23-year-old man killed his grandmother, mother, and brother with a crossbow at their home in Takarazuka, Japan, and gravely injured his aunt. He was convicted and, in October 2025, sentenced to life imprisonment.
Where did the killing happen?
Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
Who was convicted?
Hideaki Nozu (23-year-old grandson/son/brother; convicted of killing three family members and injuring a fourth with a crossbow, sentenced to life imprisonment on 31 October 2025).
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved.
More cases in Japan

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDICTakarazuka familicideWikipedia · 2026-07-10
  2. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — news-postseven.comnews-postseven.com · 2026-07-10
  3. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — kobe-np.co.jpkobe-np.co.jp · 2026-07-10