Who was Airi Sato? Japanese streamer dies after being stabbed by man live on stream

Airi Sato, a Japanese IRL (in real life) streamer has been shockingly stabbed during a recent broadcast in broad daylight. The female streamer is believed to be in her 20s and streams on the Japanese livestreaming platform Whowatch.

Unfortunately, reports have confirmed that the Japanese streamer could not make it as she succumbed to the fatal wounds inflicted by the assailant. Currently, the attacker's identity is unknown. However, authorities have arrested a man (described as an "anti-fan") in his 40s or 50s, alleged to be the stabber.

Not much is known about Airi Sato's private life. She has produced content such as 3.11 Walking Around the Yamanote Line, and some websites claim that she has been creating content since high school.

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Airi Sato suffers cardiac arrest, pronounced dead in hospital

A three-and-a-half-minute video clip from Airi Sato's Whowatch stream has gone viral on X. Many local pages have shared the clip, which depicts the aftermath of the stabbing. The clip reveals frantic cries from bystanders, and a brief moment also captures blood spilling on the road:

(Trigger warning: Contains instances of blood and violence)

Streamer stabbed, aftermath of the attack caught on camera (Image X/@Kang_b4L0n_2)

The brutal incident occurred in Takadanobaba, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, approximately 350 meters from JR Takadanobaba Station. Police were called around 9:50 AM local time, and they discovered her severely wounded body lying on the street, with blood spilling onto the road.

Airi Sato was pronounced dead 80 minutes after being transported to the hospital. As mentioned, the alleged attacker has been arrested, though the man's identity remains unknown. Additionally, the stabbing weapon has also been seized.

At the time of writing, investigations are ongoing, and the exact motive behind the murder has not been disclosed. Reports also suggest that her brother was inside a restaurant when the incident occurred.

Airi Sato was stabbed in the head, neck, and chest. She succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. The exact details of the incident are yet to be uncovered.

While it is not confirmed, police have stated that eyewitnesses reported the alleged attacker mentioning a personal dispute with the streamer. This suggests that there may have been a prior connection between the two.

Some have also shared a picture of the alleged murderer, who appeared to have covered his face with a mask. The image was taken from her live stream.

Photo of the alleged assailant (Image via nextapple.com.sg)

Women's safety has become a growing concern for live streamers, particularly due to incidents involving stalkers, attackers, and stream snipers crossing the line. In a recent case, Kick streamer Amouranth was attacked and mobbed by a couple of robbers in her home. Allegedly, she shot one of them.

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Kaleidoscope Inc. confirms voice actress Ai Mogami's safety

Ai Mogami, a Japanese actress, made headlines on the same day after some seemingly publications misidentified her as Airi Sato. Kaleidoscope Inc., the agency representing Ai Mogami, has released an official statement confirming that the voice actor is safe.

The agency said:

“We have confirmed that due to some online reports referring to the individual involved in the incident that occurred today, March 11 (Tuesday) in Takadanobaba as a “voice actor,” there has been a misunderstanding leading to our “Ai Mogami” being mistakenly identified.”

They also expressed their condolences to the actual victim and reiterated that Airi Sato was not affiliated with Kaleidoscope Inc.