A Chinese woman was arrested Monday on suspicion of killing her husband and setting fire to her apartment in Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, where the man's body was found, police said.
The police identified the suspect as Li Yanqiu, 30, who was married to Akira Usui, a 54-year-old farmer.
Usui's body was found in the apartment after the fire destroyed it Dec. 27. Li has confessed to starting the fire after stabbing Usui to death that day, according to police.
Police believe Li killed her husband following a marital dispute, officials said, adding they are also considering charging her with arson.
The couple married in January 2002 but lived in separate apartments in the same building.
Li was hospitalized after she cut her hands at the time of the killing, police officials added.