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Burnaby RCMP search for missing Japanese student

It’s been more than week since friends have seen Natsumi Kogawa. Burnaby RCMP are hoping the public can help find the missing Japanese student.
missing
Natsumi Kogawa has been missing since Sept. 7.

It’s been more than week since friends have seen Natsumi Kogawa. Burnaby RCMP are hoping the public can help find the missing Japanese student.

On Friday, Burnaby Mounties held a held a media event to help get the word out about Kogawa’s disappearance. The 30-year-old was last seen on Sept. 7 by a friend near the North Burnaby home where she was staying, and was reported missing on Sept. 12 to Vancouver police.

The file was transferred on Thursday to Burnaby RCMP since the woman lives in the city.  

RCMP Staff Sgt. Maj. John Buis said it’s not unusual for the student to go away for a couple days, but the length of time is now the longest she’s been away.

He said there’s nothing to suggest her disappearance is suspicious, but there’s been no contact, so investigators are not sure what’s happened.  

“We just don’t know and we’re concerned for her well-being,” Buis told the media, noting she uses public transit to get around. “Obviously her family is concerned as well.”

Investigators have also spoken to Kogawa’s mother in Japan.

Buis said he wasn’t sure who the missing woman was staying with, but pointed out she was studying English in Canada. He also said her case has been deemed a priority with a number of police officers assigned to find her.

Kogawa is described as standing five-feet tall, weighing 100 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Police do not know what clothing she was wearing when she was last seen.

RCMP are asking anyone with information to contact the detachment’s missing person unit at 604-294-7922 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Police are also asking any of Kogawa’s friends to come forward if they have any information.