Parents fly to Tokyo for Lindsay Hawker murder trial

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

The parents of murdered British teacher Lindsay Hawker flew to Japan yesterday for her alleged killer's trial. Ms Hawker, 22, was found dead in a flat in Chiba, east of Tokyo, in March 2007.

Tatsuya Ichihashi, 32, one of her students at an English language school, was arrested in 2009 and is going on trial for her murder tomorrow. Bill and Julia Hawker, who were joined at Heathrow by their daughters Lisa, 29, and Louise, 24, will give evidence. Under the Japanese legal system, the couple will also have the chance to question Mr Ichihashi themselves. Mr Hawker gave a brief statement, saying: "We are travelling to Tokyo today for the trial of Ichihashi and we are hoping to get justice for our daughter. That has always been our aim."