A 58-year-old woman was found dead over the weekend in her home in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and police opened a murder investigation.
The victim was identified as Kyoko Tanaka, who ran a barber shop in her home. Her body was found in the home's entranceway at around 5:50 p.m. Saturday by her daughter.
Police said there were several bruises to the back of Tanaka's head, as well as marks on her neck. An autopsy conducted Sunday showed that the cause of death was strangulation.
Tanaka lived alone after her husband passed away. Her daughter came to look in on her after neighbors notified her that the barber shop had not been open for a few days.
The door of the house was locked, and there were no indications that the house had been rummaged, according to police.
The last time Tanaka was seen was Thursday afternoon, when a neighbor saw her outside, they added.