In May 2000, Anna, a 21-year-old British girl, relinquished her glamorous job as a flight attendant. Instead, she embarked on a journey to Tokyo with her friends to work as a waitress in the "lucrative" Roppongi nightclub.

In July 2000, the mysterious disappearance of waitress Anna in the prosperous Roppongi district of Japan sent shockwaves, prompting concern from the Prime Ministers of both Britain and Japan.

What kind of case is this?

What kind of evil is concealed behind the mysterious disappearance?

In this edition, we will unravel the mystery together by tracing the truth of the case.

(This case is adapted from real events, with information sourced from Sina International News. All characters in the article are referred to by pseudonyms.)

Chapter 1. A One-way Journey

At the turn of the millennium, around 300,000 illegal foreign workers resided in Japan, with one-third involved in the illegal entertainment trade, commonly known as the "water trade." Despite the overall economic stagnation in Japan during this period, the "water trade" prospered.

Against this backdrop, the actual security situation in Japan raised concerns. In 2000, the number of criminal cases surged by 12.1% compared to the previous year, surpassing 3 million for the first time and setting a new post-war record. This presented significant challenges to the work of the police and legal departments at that time.

This case unfolded on an ordinary day, July 1, 2000. In a shabby and cramped apartment near the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, the British girl Kelly was deciding what to wear for the night. It was then that she received a call from Anna, her close friend and roommate.

Anna excitedly shared that she had met a wealthy boyfriend and was going on a date at a seaside restaurant in the afternoon.

Kelly was genuinely happy for Anna. Working as waitresses in nightclubs, their income was tied to guest consumption. Nightclubs encouraged girls to participate in "dinner dates" to boost earnings. The more dates they went on, the higher their income, and failing to go on enough dates could lead to termination. Anna, having received a sudden confession and a warm invitation, must have been thrilled.

For the occasion, Anna wore a black dress, black sandals, a silver necklace adorned with stars and diamonds, and carried a black handbag, appearing youthful and beautiful. However, Anna did not return that night. Kelly speculated that perhaps she was traveling with her boyfriend and was too elated to come back.

However, the next day, Kelly received an unexpected call from a stranger who identified himself as Anna's date. He delivered startling news that left Kelly in shock—Anna had recently joined the Emerging Church, was embarking on a new life, and had no intentions of returning in the future. The caller assured Kelly that Anna was doing well.

The explanation seemed absurd to Kelly. Initially thinking it might be a prank, she attempted to call Anna but couldn't get through. After a night of anxious waiting, Kelly began to realize that something might have happened to Anna.

Early on the morning of July 3, Kelly informed Anna's family. The elderly couple, originally in the UK, were horrified upon hearing the news. Anna's sister promptly took a plane to Japan.

Simultaneously, Kelly reached out to the police. However, she was unprepared for the response. In this era, numerous women went missing in Tokyo nightclubs, particularly foreign women. Many had left their hometowns, making it challenging for their disappearances to be promptly discovered. Additionally, Anna had a history of credit card debt. The police assumed she might be hiding to evade debts and, as a result, did not allocate much attention to her disappearance.

Anna is a native British girl residing in Sevenoaks, Kent. Her father, a property developer on the Isle of Wight, cherished Anna. However, when Anna turned 17, her parents divorced. Despite the separation, Anna and her siblings opted to live with their mother, who struggled with emotional instability. Alongside caring for her younger siblings, the responsible Anna found herself frequently comforting her mother. As she matured, Anna pursued a career as a stewardess for British Airways, initially a respectable job. However, her penchant for material indulgences left her dissatisfied with her current circumstances.

Anna had a fondness for new clothes, jewelry, and post-work champagne in the bar. While she may not have been a conventional beauty, she always took care to present herself in an eye-pleasing manner. Unintentionally, her expenses escalated, and she accumulated a significant amount of debt, which she hesitated to disclose to her parents.

So, she confided in her friend Kelly, and together, they decided to venture to Japan in search of new opportunities. The word was that Tokyo offered excellent security and easy money-making prospects, especially for waitresses who could potentially earn hundreds of thousands of dollars annually without exerting much effort. This sounded like the perfect fit for Anna.

The two friends quickly made the decision, resigned from their current roles, and landed in Tokyo with 90-day tourist visas.

However, would reality live up to their optimistic expectations?

Please stay tuned for the next issue: "Detective" of "Qingqiao Safety"

Chapter 2.

Search Across Thousands of Miles

It was the conclusion of Japan's bubble economy, marked by the widespread influence of a frenzied consumer culture across all social classes. Western waitresses became a manifestation of this cultural trend. In the scenario where Japanese businessmen and office workers entertained clients or enjoyed a drink, a white woman would be summoned to serve as a companion, engaging in pleasant conversations. For Japanese men, often restrained and intensely self-respecting, this experience undoubtedly provided a significant boost to their vanity satisfaction.

It was no coincidence that, amidst the surge in hot money circulation, Anna and Kelly opted to work as waitresses at Casablanca Bar in the Roppongi District of Tokyo.

Roppongi, particularly renowned for its nightlife, is a well-known red-light district in Tokyo. However, the 21-year-old Anna and Kelly perceived their roles as waitresses to involve lighting cigarettes, pouring wine, engaging in conversation, and singing for customers.

Despite the initial apprehension, anxiety, and sense of being lost in a country with a distinct skin color, race, language, and behavioral style, Anna, freshly arrived, and Kelly maintained high expectations for the future.

The two friends decided to share a six-person room under challenging living conditions. The space was cramped, dim, and far from ideal. Despite these conditions, they persevered and went to work together when the time came, leading what they considered a relatively peaceful life. Anna harbored dreams of using her earnings to settle her debts and purchase gifts for her parents.

However, these aspirations were shattered by Anna's sudden disappearance.

Upon Anna's sister's urgent arrival in Tokyo, both she and Kelly launched a desperate search for Anna. They combed through bars and nearby neighborhoods, attempting to identify the man who had initially called. Despite a week passing, there was still no progress, and Anna's phone remained unreachable.

In the meantime, Anna's parents in England grew increasingly distressed. Eventually, they also flew to Tokyo.

Faced with the unfamiliarity of the location, their sole point of contact was Kelly. In a state of desperation, Anna's father, Bernie, sought assistance from the news media. On July 13, he held a press conference in Tokyo and leveraged his financial resources to broadcast his daughter's disappearance on Japan's prime-time news program.

During the press conference, Bernie displayed a photograph of his daughter, appealed for assistance from the national audience, and presented some hypotheses based on the information he had gathered thus far. Bernie vehemently refuted the notion that his daughter was evading credit card debt, emphasizing that her crucial documents and belongings were still at home, suggesting it was not a premeditated escape. Additionally, he dismissed the idea of Anna joining the emerging church, asserting that both Anna's friends and family could attest that she had no involvement with church matters whatsoever.

Following the broadcast, the heartfelt plea of the elderly father struck a chord with viewers nationwide. Bernie took proactive measures, printing and distributing around 30,000 posters detailing Anna's disappearance, which were prominently displayed on the streets of Tokyo.

Shortly thereafter, the disappearance of a British girl in Japan gained widespread media coverage and captured the attention of British authorities. Consequently, the case evolved into a diplomatic matter between the two countries, prompting Japanese authorities to take notice. On July 15, Bernie received an invitation to meet with British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who was coincidentally in Japan for the summit. Cook appealed to the Japanese public to aid the father in locating his missing daughter,

elevating the case's prominence. By July 18, within just three days, the investigative department received 100 calls from the public and amassed numerous leads, though the authenticity of these leads remained unverified.

Determined to expedite the search for his daughter, Bernie initiated his own inquiry. He established an office in close proximity to Tokyo's Casablanca bar and operated a confidential hotline manned by sympathetic expatriates to encourage those with information, but hesitating to contact the police, to come forward. Simultaneously, he offered a reward of up to £9,500. The incident resonated significantly in the UK, prompting public calls for the government to address the plight of young people in foreign countries. In a heartwarming turn, an anonymous wealthy British businessman, upon learning of Anna's disappearance, generously increased the reward to £100,000.

On July 21, British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew to Tokyo, personally met with the Bernie family, and pledged to formally address the issue with the Japanese Prime Minister during the G8 Summit scheduled for that day. Anna's whereabouts had transformed into a matter of profound concern for both nations. The direct involvement of the Japanese Prime Minister elevated the significance of the case, prompting heightened attention from law enforcement. Numerous police officers were deployed to the Roppongi Police Station to intensify the investigation into Anna's disappearance.

To seemingly temper the intensity surrounding the case, on August 1, a letter purporting to be written by Anna was sent to the Tokyo police. Bernie was overcome with emotion upon learning this news, as if glimpsing a glimmer of hope that his daughter might still be alive!

Can we uncover clues about Anna's disappearance from this letter? With the case garnering increased attention and resources, does the current situation make it more likely to locate her?

Please stay tuned for the next issue: "Detective" of "Qingqiao Safety"

Chapter 3.

Endless Dark Night

Upon discovering that a letter from Anna had been sent, Bernie hurried to the police station. However, the content of the letter was a shock to him.

It was purportedly written by his daughter, claiming she was pursuing something she loved and requested her family not to disturb her. Bernie instantly recognized the letter as a parody. It didn't match his daughter's handwriting or usual tone. Anna, being sensible and missing her parents, would have contacted them long ago if she were free to do so.

The letter heightened Bernie's concern for his daughter's safety. Anna might be under someone's control, possibly sold as a slave or confined. The most dreadful possibility was that she might have been harmed or killed, and the murderer, fearing exposure, wrote the letter to mislead the public. With Anna leaving voluntarily, witnesses provided few clues. As time passed, new leads accumulated, but none pointed decisively to Anna's location.

On September 20, having nearly depleted their savings in the quest to find Anna without success, the Bernie family, in a state of near-desperation, had to leave Japan.

Nonetheless, Anna's disappearance acted as a catalyst, uncovering the dark underbelly of the Japanese entertainment industry and gradually revealing previously concealed underground activities and disappearances.

Shortly after Bernie's departure, three courageous women came forward with experiences strikingly similar to Anna's. Working as waitresses in Tokyo's Roppongi area, these women had all, in the past few years, gone on dates to the same seaside restaurant with a wealthy, middle-aged Japanese man and tragically met a similar fate.

After consuming drinks, they would swiftly lose consciousness and wake up inexplicably in the man's apartment the next day. Upon waking, they found themselves devoid of clothing, and the duration of their unconsciousness varied—some regained consciousness after just a few hours, while others remained unconscious for dozens of hours. Regardless of the duration, they shared a common experience: a sore body and a complete lack of recollection of the events from the previous day.

The man later offered explanations, attributing their comatose state to excessive alcohol consumption or a gas leak in his home. However, the affected women knew that the amount of alcohol they typically consumed as hostesses was moderate, and even if they overindulged, it wouldn't result in complete blackout. They strongly suspected that they had been drugged by the man, raising concerns that a similar fate may have befallen Anna.

With this crucial lead, the police promptly initiated an investigation. On October 11, a man matching the descriptions provided by the three women was collectively identified, confirming the suspect's identity. The individual in question is 48-year-old businessman Keiichi Takada, who has an extensive criminal record.

Born in Osaka, Japan, in 1952 to Korean parents, Takada's father built a company from scratch, accumulating substantial assets. Takada received a private education in Tokyo and entered the prestigious Keio University High School at the age of 15. Following the death of his parents in Hong Kong when he was 17, Takada inherited properties in Osaka and Tokyo. He pursued a degree in politics and law at Keio University and later engaged in real estate speculation, amassing assets totaling up to $38 million.

However, the good times did not last long for Takada. During the economic recession in the 1990s, he lost his properties and company, experiencing a significant decline in economic status. Takada became involved in illicit activities, using his business for money laundering on behalf of mafia groups. He was repeatedly imprisoned for assaulting and molesting women, yet he persisted in criminal behavior after each release. As the investigation unveiled him as the prime suspect in Anna's disappearance, suspicions intensified that he could be the perpetrator.

However, Takada Keiichi vehemently denied any connection with Anna, asserting that he had no knowledge of her whatsoever. Exploiting his familiarity with the law, he argued that the victims were all sex workers who willingly participated for compensation rather than being coerced. Lacking concrete evidence, the police were compelled to release him.

Despite being a reviled suspect, Takada skillfully evaded charges based on his legal acumen. This outcome understandably failed to convince anyone.

Soon, under the weight of mounting cases, police officers under significant pressure stumbled upon a revelation: another woman, akin to Anna, had been taken by Takada Keiichi and subsequently vanished mysteriously!

Her name was Sophie, an Australian model, striving to earn money for acting school by working as a barmaid in Tokyo's Ginza area. Unlike Anna, Sophie's fate took a tragic turn—she was eventually hospitalized and later succumbed to liver failure and poisoning from excessive chloroform intake. Curiously, the Japanese police did not delve into the matter further, as per the family's request.

Reflecting on the two cases, the uncanny parallels raise questions: Could Anna's disappearance offer insights similar to those gleaned from Sophie's tragic story? While Sophie met her demise in a hospital, what awaited Anna, and was she safe?

Please stay tuned for the next issue: "Detective" of "Qingqiao Safety"

Chapter 4. Eternal Slumber

On February 9, 2001, just when the case seemed to be losing public attention, Anna's fate took a grim turn.

An explorer stumbled upon a cave on the beach in Miura City, discovering human remains buried within, accompanied by strands of golden hair. Subsequent comparison and confirmation verified the victim as Anna. Remarkably, the cave was merely a few hundred meters from Keiichi Takada's apartment. Given the previously amassed clues, Anna's family and the Japanese police firmly linked Takada to her demise, prompting them to secure a search warrant.

Upon entering Keiichi Takada's residence to gather evidence, the police inadvertently discovered an appalling collection—nearly 400 videos documenting his assaults on women. These recordings contained explicit evidence of Takada's heinous acts, with approximately 150 clips focusing on blonde women subjected to violation. Evidently, he harbored a twisted obsession with blonde women, a feature prominently evident in Anna's beautiful blonde hair.

Anna was not identified among the 150 victims depicted in the videos. However, in a "Conquest Diary" recovered by the police, Takada's records detailed his encounter with the beautiful Anna on July 1 and his preparation of the anesthetic chloroform.

Confronted with accusations of murder, Takada became highly agitated and altered his narrative, claiming that he had dined with Anna that day but left alone, unaware of her subsequent whereabouts. Regarding the videos, he asserted they were all consensually filmed with payment, denying the use of drugs and any instances of sexual assault.

Despite attempts to reach out to the female victims, they chose to withdraw, fearing potential backlash from public opinion.

Just as the case faced another impasse, a crucial piece of evidence emerged—a recorded emergency call made by Keiichi Takada. This recording would become pivotal in the ongoing investigation.

The panic in Takada's voice during the recorded emergency call on July 1, 2000, was evident. He reported that the woman next to him was in a dire state due to an overdose. Unfortunately, the call was disregarded at the time as he hung up before providing a detailed address. However, upon reevaluation and comparison with the timeline of Takada

seeking medical treatment and Anna's disappearance, the police discovered a crucial connection. Further investigation revealed that Takada had purchased a phone under a false identity, which he used to make the unknown calls to Kelly, informing her that Anna had joined the Emerging Church on July 2.  

With mounting evidence, Takada's internal defense crumbled, and he finally confessed to his actions.

Takada Keiichi, with a preference for fair-skinned, beautiful, blond, and blue-eyed women, developed a possessive obsession with Anna upon first seeing her in the bar. After careful planning, he administered an overdose of drugs to Anna, resulting in her death. To eliminate evidence, Takada dismembered and buried her body.

In October 2002, Takada was charged with drugging and murdering Anna, along with assaulting multiple other women and the negligent murder of Sophie. After six years of investigation, evidence gathering, and trial, the Supreme Court of Japan delivered a verdict on December 16, 2008, sentencing Takada Keiichi to life imprisonment.

Justice eventually prevailed, bringing closure to Anna's tragic story. Her family, long tormented by the anguish of unfulfilled hopes, could never have anticipated that Anna's impulsive decision would shatter her own life and the happiness of her loved ones.

In red-light districts like Roppongi, where marginalized workers such as waitresses navigate issues like overstaying and illegal work, they themselves face suspicions of violating laws and regulations. The safety of these workers is far from guaranteed, as they work in a dark environment where criminals can exploit them in the shadows.

Psychopaths like Keiichi Takada, driven by morbid psychology, employ even more brutal methods when attacking and harming others. A similar case occurred in 2017 when the Japanese murder suspect Takeshima Haemi brutally killed five neighbors. Despite a five-year prosecution, he was released due to mental problems, triggering public outrage and panic. This starkly reminds us that, in a world with both warmth and darkness, we cannot afford to relax necessary safety precautions. In daily life, if you notice someone behaving strangely or displaying extremely unusual preferences, it's crucial to maintain a safe distance and heighten vigilance to ward off potential dangers.

Among Anna's belongings, a stack of unsent letters reveals her worries and helplessness, allowing us to glimpse into Anna's regrets. On the first day in Roppongi, she realized that giving up a flight attendant job to become a waitress was a mistake, yet she hadn't fully come to terms with it. Often, due to emotional impulses, we may make irrational or wrong judgments. However, more often than not, our ignorance lies in recognizing the mistake but lacking the courage to repent.

    In this case, only three women managed to break through the darkness and bravely stood up to expose the perpetrator's evil deeds. However, there are also more than 400 victims recorded in the suspect's videos. The question remains whether these victims will summon the courage to step back into the sunlight and share their stories.