Body of British teacher who was missing in Japan is found

The body of a missing British teacher has been found after she vanished without a trace in Japan.

Alice Hodgkinson, from Nottingham, had been working in Tokyo and living in Yokohama, 20 miles (30km) away, since arriving in Japan in March last year.

Her family and friends were worried when she failed to show up to work on July 1, at a school in Kanagawa, a prefecture south of Tokyo, where she worked as an English teacher.

Her dad Steve said the family were devastated to be given “the worst news imaginable” by police.

He told The Sun: “We were notified last night. Police told me that [they] had found Alice’s body. It was the worst news imaginable. We are devastated and it is a very difficult time for our family."

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with Ms Hodgkinson’s death, according to reports.

“Close family are aware. It is not a murder investigation and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death,” he said.

Ms Hodginkson’s mum Julie is "beside herself with grief", added Steve.

The 28-year-old was last seen on June 29 but Steve received an email from her the next day which he said showed no signs she was struggling.

Interpol joined forces with Nottinghamshire and Japanese police during the search for Ms Hodginkson.

It is understood officers forced their way into her apartment on July 1 after she was reported missing and found a note addressed to her dad and brother.

The distraught father, who last saw his daughter in 2019 before she moved abroad, said that she "seemed to be leading a happy, fulfilling life" and their relationship was "good".

The family want to repatriate Ms Hodginkson’s body as soon as possible but said Steve said he’s unsure if he or his son will travel to Japan to do so.

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