Vietnamese trainee arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder in Japan

According to Saga Prefectural Police, Dam Duy Khang rang the doorbell at the residence of Mukumoto Maiko, a 40-year-old Japanese language teacher, in Imari City on Saturday afternoon, carrying a knife with him, as reported by Nippon.

When Maiko's 70-year-old mother answered the door, Khang allegedly forced his way inside, threatened both women with the knife, demanded money, and subsequently attacked them.

Maiko died at the scene, while her mother sustained wounds to her neck and other parts of her body. The mother told investigators she did not know the attacker.

Police said Khang fled the scene after stealing more than 10,000 yen (US$67.70), NHK reported.

Investigators recovered a blood-stained knife from the suspect's dormitory, located near the crime scene in Imari.

Khang has refused to answer questions following his arrest, Kyodo News cited the police as saying.

Khang, who lives in the dormitory with other Vietnamese technical trainees, was participating in Japan's Technical Internship Training Program.

The program, originally intended to transfer skills to developing countries, has often faced criticism as a method for importing inexpensive labor.

Police are investigating whether the suspect and the victim knew each other.