這起發生在日本兵庫縣神戶市的駭人命案，震撼當地社會。8月20日晚間7點20分左右，24歲的單身女性片山惠在結束一天工作後，回到自己位於中央區的公寓，不料剛走進電梯，就遭遇殘忍襲擊。一名陌生男子突然掏出匕首，對她連刺數刀，導致片山當場身亡。由於兇手下手極為狠毒，許多人最初懷疑這是情感糾紛或情殺案件，但警方深入調查後卻揭露一個更加駭人聽聞的真相。

警方在全城展開搜捕，最終鎖定並逮捕35歲的谷本將志，他是東京新宿區一家公司的一名職員。面對審訊，谷本承認了持刀傷人的事實，但同時表示自己與片山惠素不相識。令人震驚的是，他犯案的動機竟然僅僅是因為“一見鍾情”。根據他的供述，他在8月18日早晨第一次於街頭見到片山，便認定對方是“自己的理想型”，情感衝動驅使他開始尾隨片山至公司，甚至連續兩天在其工作地點周邊徘徊、蹲守。警方調閱監視器後發現，自8月18日至案發前，谷本至少50次出現在片山工作的周圍，可見其行為早已進入執著且危險的狀態。

案發前一天，監控畫面顯示谷本身穿T恤、短褲與運動鞋，在片山公司附近徘徊，甚至蹲下朝公司方向張望，停留期間還打電話持續約四分鐘。到案發當天，片山如常於下午6點半下班，途中曾去郵局和超市購物，隨後乘坐電車回家。當晚7點20分左右，谷本趁著她獨自一人時，強行闖入具備自動鎖的公寓大門，尾隨至電梯內，並在密閉空間內對她展開兇殘攻擊。

犯案後，谷本立即逃逸，先從新神戶站搭乘新幹線前往東京，再轉至JR奧多摩站下車。警方在8月22日於奧多摩町街頭確認其行蹤，並迅速將其逮捕。面對警方調查，他雖承認以刀刺向受害人腹部一兩次，但卻聲稱自己“不確定是否有殺人意圖”，這一說法引發外界更大的憤慨。

至於受害者片山惠，她來自大阪府，個性開朗外向，2023年大學畢業後便赴神戶工作，至今已在當地獨居兩年。她所住的公寓建成僅十年，共有38戶，具備自動門鎖與專業保全公司提供的安保服務，原本被居民視為相當安全的住所。然而，這起案件無情揭示，即便是完善的硬體防護，也難以阻擋潛在的惡意與跟蹤狂的執念。

事發後，鄰近居民紛紛前來公寓前獻花悼念，對片山惠的不幸離世表達哀悼與惋惜。此案不僅震撼日本社會，更引發人們對於獨居女性安全、防範跟蹤狂以及公共監控與社區保護機制的深刻反思。這樣一起源於“錯誤的一見鍾情”的暴力案件，赤裸裸地揭示社會中隱藏的危險，以及對弱勢群體防護不足的現實困境。

This shocking case in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, has stirred wide public concern. On the evening of August 20, around 7:20 p.m., 24-year-old single woman Megumi Katayama was returning home after a day’s work when tragedy struck. As she entered the elevator of her apartment building in Chuo Ward, a stranger suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed her multiple times, killing her on the spot. Because the attack was so brutal, many initially suspected it was a crime of passion. However, further police investigation revealed an even more chilling truth.

Police launched a citywide manhunt and eventually arrested 35-year-old Masashi Tanimoto, an office worker from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. During questioning, Tanimoto admitted to stabbing Katayama but claimed he did not know her. What shocked the public most was his stated motive—he killed her simply because of “love at first sight.” According to his testimony, on the morning of August 18, he saw Katayama on the street for the first time and instantly decided she was his “ideal type.” Overcome by impulse, he followed her to her workplace and loitered around the area for two days. Police confirmed this through security camera footage, which showed that in the two days leading up to the murder, Tanimoto appeared near Katayama’s office at least 50 times, clearly displaying obsessive and dangerous behavior.

The day before the attack, surveillance cameras captured Tanimoto wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers while wandering near her office. He was seen crouching and staring toward the building, and at one point remained in the area for about four minutes while on the phone. On the day of the incident, Katayama finished work at 6:30 p.m., stopped by a post office and a supermarket, then took the train home. Around 7:20 p.m., Tanimoto forced his way past the apartment’s automatic lock, followed her into the elevator, and launched the fatal assault in the confined space.

After committing the crime, Tanimoto fled, traveling by Shinkansen from Shin-Kobe Station to Tokyo, then disembarking at JR Okutama Station. On August 22, he was located on the streets of Okutama Town and arrested. During questioning, he admitted to stabbing the victim once or twice in the abdomen, but claimed he was “not sure if he intended to kill,” a statement that has only fueled public outrage.

As for the victim, Megumi Katayama was originally from Osaka Prefecture. Known for her cheerful and outgoing personality, she had moved to Kobe in 2023 after graduating from university and had lived alone there for two years. Her apartment building, built just ten years ago, had 38 units, an automatic locking system, and professional security services, which residents had considered safe. This case, however, cruelly exposed the fact that even with such security measures, it is nearly impossible to guard against the obsessive fixation of a stalker.

After the incident, local residents gathered to place flowers in front of the apartment building, mourning Katayama’s tragic death. The case has not only shocked Japanese society but also sparked deep concern about the safety of women living alone, the threat posed by stalkers, and the need for stronger community protection measures. A crime born from a twisted “love at first sight” has laid bare the hidden dangers in society and highlighted the vulnerability of those who should be most protected.