Police in Japan have arrested a man on suspicion of killing a schoolgirl 17 years ago in the western prefecture of Hyogo.

Investigative officials say Katsuta Kunihiko, 45, is suspected of fatally stabbing Unose Yuzuki, then aged seven, in Kakogawa City in October 2007.

Police have been questioning Katsuta on a voluntary basis since May. He has been serving a life sentence for the murder of another girl in Okayama Prefecture in 2004.

Officials say Katsuta admitted involvement in the Kakogawa case, and his explanation matched the girl's injuries and other details at the scene.

Katsuta was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of attempted murder, for stabbing and seriously wounding a schoolgirl in Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture in 2006.

Officials say Katsuta told investigators prior to his arrest in connection with the Kakogawa case that he was looking for a small girl who would not put up resistance.