Vancouver News: Stabbing Victim Identified as Former Hapa Izakaya Leader

Friends and colleagues have identified Wataru Kakiuchi, 32, as the man stabbed to death Wednesday in Vancouver.

Those who spoke to CTV News said they were shocked to learn of Kakiuchi's killing.

The Japanese, who arrived in Canada with a work permit, was a well-known chef at Hapa Izakaya since 2015.

Justin Ault, the owner of Hapa Izakaya in Yaletown, described Kakiuchi as “one of those people who lit up a room” and that he “couldn't be anyone's enemy.”

Authorities said Kakiuchi was stabbed on Union Street, east of Main Street, early Wednesday morning.

Around 3:30 a.m., officers responded to a report of a man in distress and arrived to find Kakiuchi fatally injured. He died before he could be transported to hospital.

Hapa Izakaya closed its doors on Wednesday so staff could gather and mourn his shocking death.

“Your colleagues are family, but hospitality is where you really get closer to people,” Ault said.

Kakiuchi was between work permits when he died, according to Ault, but he had planned to return to the restaurant. He had also expressed a desire to stay in Canada permanently.

Ault said Kakiuchi was also a musician who would take out his guitar after he got off work.

“He was just positive — full of life, full of energy,” Ault said.

Police have not yet determined the motive for the killing.

On Thursday, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim released a statement offering condolences to the victim's family and friends, describing Kakiuchi as a “beloved member of our city.”

“Wataru Kakiuchi was more than a talented chef at Hapa Izakaya in Yaletown – he was a positive presence and a treasured friend to many. His contributions to our community will not be forgotten,” Sim wrote.

The mayor also assured that the police were “working tirelessly to bring to justice the person responsible for this tragedy” and had increased their patrols in the neighborhood where Kakiuchi was killed.

Anyone with information or dash camera video of the area taken between midnight and 3:30 a.m. Wednesday is asked to call the Vancouver Police Department at 604-717-2500.