Japan offers reward for info on slain British woman

TOKYO, June 29 (Reuters) Japanese police will offer a reward of up to one million yen (8,100 dollars) for significant information over the killing of a 22-year-old British woman, three months after the suspect ran away from police officers.

The National Police Agency today posted on its Web site the picture of 28-year-old Tatsuya Ichihashi, wanted in connection with the death of English teacher Lindsay Hawker near Tokyo on March 26.

Hawker's naked body was found in a bathtub filled with sand on the balcony of an apartment where Ichihashi lived alone.

Ichihashi fled when police arrived to question him after Hawker was reported missing, losing his shoes and a rucksack in the chase.

Hawker's parents arrived in Japan earlier this week from their home in Brandon, near Coventry, to appeal for help in finding their daughter's killer amid no apparent significant progress.

Some 100 police officers have been assigned to the case, and the police have released photographs and video footage of Ichihashi. Two British police officers also arrived in Japan last week to act as liaison officers with the family.

Hawker's case initially sparked massive TV coverage in Japan, where crime rates are relatively low, but it has recently dropped off the media agenda.

Japanese police only began offering rewards for information on unresolved crime in April.

Reuters KK VP0742