A startling case unfolded on March 11, 2025, when the Osaka Prefectural Police arrested 62-year-old self-proclaimed fortune teller Yoshie Hamada. Hamada stands accused of encouraging the suicides of two men, both of whom had been her followers. The men, A who was 66 years old at the time of death, and B, aged 51, died under mysterious circumstances back in August 2020. Their bodies were discovered on a beach in Hirogawa Town, Wakayama Prefecture, by local residents.
Initially, Wakayama Prefectural Police classified the deaths as self-inflicted without signs of foul play. The investigation remained dormant until last year when the case took a dramatic turn. A man, reportedly in his fifties, approached the Osaka police alleging he was extorted for money by Hamada, who had previously held considerable sway over him.
The interaction revealed troubling details about Hamada's relationship with her followers. According to this man, he had willingly handed over millions of yen to Hamada after being manipulated under the pretext of testing his faith. Yet, as investigators probed his claims, they uncovered alarming facts related to A and B’s death.
Witnesses testified to the troubling behavior of A and B, particularly around the time they were last seen alive. The two men were reportedly driven to Wakayama alongside Hamada and others, only to have their bodies later found with their wrists bound together by microphone cables, raising grave suspicions about the nature of their deaths. Further sinister clues emerged, including allegations of A’s will being forged.
A's friends and relatives shared insights shedding light on the extreme changes he underwent since converting to Hamada’s beliefs around 2008. Once self-sufficient, A cut off financial support to his family and engaged in multiple marriages and divorces among Hamada's other followers. Witnesses narrated the financial control Hamada held over him. Despite having reliable income—amounting to around 800,000 yen monthly from retirement benefits and consulting fees—A ended up living on less than 50,000 yen month after handing over the majority of his earnings to Hamada. He even sold his audio equipment and rare records to manage his expenses. Such financial exploitation raises serious questions about Hamada’s influence over her followers.
This exploitation extended beyond finances; Hamada indoctrinated her followers, decisively asserting herself as their “Creator.” Those who resisted or questioned her authority faced emotional manipulation and threats, effectively cementing her control. Former followers, left helpless under her pressure, often melded feelings of obligation and fear, which left them vulnerable to Hamada's demands.
The suspicions began aligning late last year when A's acquaintance recounted how he abruptly ceased providing support to his family, switching allegiances to Hamada.
One poignant testimony, from A’s long-lost acquaintance, reported, “He had stable income, but everything changed once he got involved with Hamada. It was as if he was under her spell.” This alarming picture of A's descent served as both evidence of Hamada’s influence and insight for authorities investigating the fatalities.
With the police investigation picking up speed, they found other peculiarities. Not only were there allegations of financial manipulation, but accounts from A's family indicated his behavioral changes became notable after he consistently refused to return to family functions, citing work obligations.
One witness described how A’s relationship with his son suffered, “He once provided for the boy’s schooling, but after involvement with Hamada, he completely ceased support. Instead, he was preoccupied with devotion to her.”
This disjointed family dynamic went hand-in-hand with the mounting financial strain, potentially leading A to view suicide as the only escape from the suffocative grip of his beliefs and financial destitution.
Hamada's reportedly unyielding demeanor was making her presence deeply felt as she leveraged the vulnerabilities of her followers. “She believed herself, and her acolytes believed her, too. To them, she was the only guide,” reflected another associate.
What complicates the situation is how others perceive Hamada’s network. Unlike traditional cults with large followings, Hamada’s influence stemmed from intimate interactions with only a small group, thereby facilitating her manipulative tactics.
On the other hand, the session surrounding A and B's deaths has revived concerns over Hamada’s established network. The Osaka Prefectural Police have decided to expand their investigations as more related incidents arise, corroborated by testimonies like those from the worried mother whose son mysteriously disappeared years ago.
Continuing the grim association with Hamada, she has been linked to other cases of financial exploitation, which authorities are now investigating more thoroughly. With multiple testimonies supporting the concerns, officials are actively retracing her connections to assess how widespread her influence might be.
Reflecting on the tragic event, one respondent remarked, “It’s peculiar how she always managed to keep her followers close yet isolated. Those who ventured too far felt the full bluntness of her wrath.” It is within this troubling backdrop of coercion and manipulation, as police authorities continue their inquiries, many are left questioning just how many lives Hamada may have irreparably impacted.
Investigators continue sifting through the debris left behind by Hamada's reign of control, hoping to prevent such tragic outcomes for others who might traverse similar paths.