Chinese teacher goes missing in Japan

Wei Qiujie. Photo from Sina Weibo

A 27-year-old Chinese teacher has disappeared while on a trip to Hokkaido island in Japan.

Her younger brother said Wei Qiujie departed Fujian on July 18. She was last seen leaving Ocho hotel in Sapporo at 7 am on July 22, according to Chinese consulate-general in Sapporo, citing the hotel owner. The hotel owner said Wei left the premises without her luggage.

Wei's father said the last time Wei contacted her family members was on July 21.

Wei had reserved a flight to return to China on July 25; however, airline information showed she did not board, cancel or reschedule the flight bound for Shanghai. Consulate staff members said the hotel owner contacted the police when she did not show up or check out.

The employees of the consulate added there was nothing unusual before her disappearance. Social media thread showed she updated travel photos to her social media account on July 21. She also liked a celebrity's update on July 23.

Wei Qiujie had been working as an elementary school teacher in Fujian's Shaowu city.

While investigations into the disappearance of Wei continue, her father and uncle plan to fly to Japan to search for her.

Before Wei's disappearance, two other Chinese girls recently went missing in Japan, according to reports. The bodies of 25-year-old Chen Baolan and 22-year-old Chen Baozhen were found in a mountainous forest near Tokyo, after the sisters went missing from their apartment in Yokohama on July 6.

The Chinese embassy in Japan issued a notice reminding its citizens residing in Japan to be more security conscious.