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Tokyo police: Couple who died after sauna fire were apparently trapped in room NHK

Tokyo police are investigating the deaths of two people after a sauna fire earlier this week. They say the couple were apparently trapped in a private room and may have died of carbon monoxide poisoning or hyperthermia.
Matsuda Masanari, a 36-year-old beauty salon owner and his 37-year-old wife Yoko, a nail technician, died after a fire broke out on the third floor of the sauna in the Akasaka district of Tokyo's Minato Ward on Monday.
Firefighters found the door closed when they arrived. Doorknobs on either side of the sauna's door had fallen off. They said the collapsed pair were found near the door, and the husband had been covering his wife.
Tokyo police say they have yet to determine the exact cause of the deaths, noting that the victims did not suffer injuries that would have been fatal.
The couple are believed to have become trapped in the room after they visited the sauna around 11 a.m. An employee called the fire department when an alarm sounded about one hour later.
The police say they believe the fire started when a towel touched heated stones. They are looking into the details, including when the fire broke out.

Quiz 1:
What is the suspected primary cause of death for the couple?
A. Blunt force trauma from the fire’s impact.
B. Carbon monoxide poisoning or hyperthermia.
C. Burns from direct contact with flames.
D. Asphyxiation due to a structural collapse.

Quiz 2:
What was the profession of Yoko, the deceased wife?
A. Beauty Salon Owner
B. Firefighter
C. Nail Technician
D. Sauna Operator

Quiz 3:
According to the article, what was found near the deceased couple?
A. The husband covering his wife
B. A broken window
C. A functioning doorknob
D. A security camera recording
Summary
Tokyo police are investigating the deaths of a couple—salon owner Masanari (36) & nail tech Yoko (37)—following a sauna fire in Akasaka. Possible causes are CO poisoning/hyperthermia; fire likely started with a towel touching heated stones. #tokyo #sauna #fire
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ID: 4a6de61d-2a3f-4ee2-8a22-d62816ae78d9

Category ID: nhk

URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20251219_10/

Date: Dec. 19, 2025

Notes: NHK News with Quiz - 2025-12-19

Created: 2025/12/19 18:40

Updated: 2025/12/19 19:29

Last Read: 2025/12/19 19:29

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