Iwata debuted in the AKB48 idol group as a trainee in 2011, and graduated from the group in 2016.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested a 42-year-old male on June 19 for allegedly stalking and harassing 20-year-old actress, singer, and former AKB48 idol group member Karen Iwata.
According to the police, Ōnishi had been a “fan” of Iwata since 2012, the year after she debuted as part of the main AKB48 idol group.
After the incident, the suspect allegedly wrote threats to Iwata and her family, and repeatedly attended events where Iwata as present.