The family of a British teacher who was raped and murdered in Japan in 2007 expressed relief yesterday at the news that the only suspect had been charged with the crime.

Tatsuya Ichihashi, 30, had already been charged with dumping the body of 22-year-old English teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker in a case that shocked both countries, but prosecutors have now charged him with her rape and murder.

"We have supported the Japanese police investigation throughout and are relieved that Tatsuya Ichihashi has now been charged," the Hawker family said in a statement.

Mr Ichihashi was arrested last month as the only suspect in the murder after spending two years on the run.

"The Hawker family are relieved that Ichihashi was captured on November 10, 2009. Our fight for justice for our daughter Lindsay was directed at the capture of Tatsuya Ichihashi," the family statement added.

"It was a long two years and seven months battle. The Japanese police and justice system will now deal with him, in line with Japanese law."

Ms Hawker's father Bill had just returned from Japan and was "heartened by the fact that the authorities are doing all they can to bring these charges and make him stand trial", the statement said.

Ms Hawker's naked body was found on March 26, 2007 in a sand-filled bathtub on the balcony of Ichihashi's apartment just outside Tokyo.