Cartoonist’s Bones Are Held for Ransom
- Share via
TOKYO — Grave robbers have demanded a ransom for the bones of one of Japan’s best-loved cartoonists, a police spokesmen said Friday.
Family members told police last week that robbers had taken the remains of Machiko Hasegawa from her grave in a Tokyo suburb and sent a letter with a picture of the urn containing her bones and demanding money.
On police instructions, the family followed the extortionists’ demands and placed an advertisement in a newspaper to indicate that they were ready to pay. There was no response.
The work of Hasegawa, one of Japan’s earliest cartoonists, was widely enjoyed in newspapers, television and books until her death last May at the age of 72.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
