Vietnam court jails Japanese man 9 years for assault leading to fellow’s death

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court convicted Kazuya Nomura, 34, in connection with the death of Yujiro Nagata.

According to the indictment, the two men arrived in Vietnam on November 5, 2023, and rented an apartment at Sunrise City Central in Tan Hung Ward for their stay.

On January 5, 2024, they argued over cleaning duties in the apartment, which escalated into a physical fight.

Prosecutors said Nagata struck Nomura with a metal pan, after which the two struggled and Nomura hit Nagata multiple times with a water bottle and his hands.

After the incident, both men cleaned bloodstains in the apartment and went to separate bedrooms.

On January 7, 2024, as they checked out and left the building, Nagata collapsed in the lobby and died at the scene.

Police later took Nomura in for questioning and opened an investigation.

A forensic examination found Nagata died from multiple injuries, including traumatic brain injury and chest trauma, consistent with blunt force impacts.

The court said Nomura's actions were dangerous, infringed on the victim's life and health, and affected public order.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Nomura to pay compensation of 25 million yen (US$160,000) to the victim's family.