Hostess is probably dead, says her father

The father of Lucie Blackman, the British bar hostess who vanished in Japan four and a half months ago, said in Tokyo yesterday that he believed she had probably been murdered.

The father of Lucie Blackman, the British bar hostess who vanished in Japan four and a half months ago, said in Tokyo yesterday that he believed she had probably been murdered.

"Whereas before it was 50-50, I'd say now the chances are 80-20," he said at a packed press conference at the British embassy. "I'm afraid that the police haven't given us any new or exciting information."

Mr Blackman, accompanied by his other daughter, Sophie, was visiting Japan for the first time since the arrest last month of Joji Ohara, a 49-year old businessman who has been charged with the rape of two other foreign women who worked in bars in the Roppongi area of Tokyo, where Ms Blackman, 22, also worked.

According to leaks to the Japanese media, the police admit that they are questioning Mr Ohara intensively about Ms Blackman's disappearance. Last week, Mr Ohara issued a statement saying he had consensual affairs with foreign hostesses, and had once been served by Ms Blackman in her bar. He denies any connection with her disappearance.

On 14 December he will go on trial for the two rapes. Since his arrest three women in Britain have come forward to say that they had encountered Mr Ohara in Roppongi in menacing circumstances, Mr Blackman says.