Two Vietnamese Nationals Arrested Over Attempted Robbery-Murder After Woman Stabbed, Bag Stolen in Osaka's Tennoji Underground Mall
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
Osaka Prefectural Police announced on August 13, 2026 that they had arrested two Vietnamese nationals — Lo Nhat Tam, 33, of no fixed address and unemployed, and Le Thi Khanh Linh, 21, a vocational school student — on suspicion of attempted robbery-murder. According to Yomiuri TV and other outlets, the two are accused of stabbing a Vietnamese office worker, 31, in the chest and neck with a knife-like object with intent to kill in June 2026, in the "Abechika" underground mall near JR Tennoji Station in Osaka, and stealing the bag she was carrying.
The woman suffered injuries requiring two weeks to heal. The stolen bag reportedly contained approximately 220,000 yen in cash. Police are investigating the possibility that the crime was carried out by an anonymous, fluid criminal group ("tokuryu").
Current status: Osaka Prefectural Police announced on August 29, 2026 that it had arrested a third operative, Nguyen Huu Trong, 25, a Vietnamese national of no fixed address and unemployed, on suspicion of attempted robbery-murder. According to Jiji Press, the crime occurred on the night of June 10 that year, and police believe additional people may have been involved and are continuing to investigate.
Police further announced on September 2, 2026 that they had placed a Vietnamese national believed to have served as the getaway driver, Quan Van Giao, 26, of no fixed address and unemployed, on a nationwide wanted list on suspicion of attempted robbery-murder. According to Yomiuri TV and other outlets, his whereabouts have been unknown since he was last captured on security camera in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, on July 31 that year. Whether the case will be referred for prosecution and the relationship among the four suspects remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.