How The Deaths Of Two Girls, Eight Years Apart, Uncovered Tokyo’s Worst Predator

How The Deaths Of Two Girls, Eight Years Apart, Uncovered Tokyo’s Worst Predator

Author: Mamamia Podcasts April 2, 2025 Duration: 50:06

Carita Ridgeway from Australia and Lucie Blackman from England arrived in Japan eight years apart, both working as hostesses, earning $150-$400 a night while entertaining wealthy businessmen.

At 21, both planned to make money for world travel but encountered Joji Obara, a sadistic criminal mastermind. While there were hundreds of victims assaulted by Obara, they were the only ones known to have lost their lives.

Clare Campbell’s book Tokyo Hostess: Inside the Shocking World of Tokyo Nightclub Hostessing explores their stories, the Japanese sex industry, and the serial rapist who sparked an international investigation.

You can find her book here

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CREDITS

Guest: Clare Campbell

Host: Gemma Bath

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

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Gemma Bath hosts True Crime Conversations, a podcast from Mamamia Podcasts that delves into infamous criminal cases from Australia and around the world. Rather than just recounting facts, each episode is built around a direct conversation with someone who has a unique, often personal connection to the story. You might hear from a detective who worked the case, a journalist who covered the trial, a family member seeking answers, or a forensic expert who examined the evidence. This approach brings a tangible, human dimension to stories that can sometimes feel distant or sensationalised. The tone is engaging and thoughtful, focusing on the nuances and the people affected, rather than just the shock value. It’s for anyone who appreciates a deeper, more conversational entry into the true crime genre, where the emphasis is on understanding the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ from those who were actually there. Listening to this podcast feels like being part of a serious, yet accessible, discussion about some of the most compelling and complex crimes in recent history.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

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