Critics in Japan have often complained that the company treats men accused of sexual assault with kid gloves and fails to punish perpetrators. That contention seems borne out by a new verdict, in which a former member of Japan’s Diet is getting a suspended sentence for raping a child.
Shiiki Tamotsu, 58, a former member of Japan’s Innovation Party and one-time Lower House member, was arrested on August 20th, 2024. The politician paid a 12-year-old girl who was in Kabukicho’s Toyoko area 20,000 yen (USD $129), after which he raped her at a nearby Manekineko karaoke shop.
Shiiki was busted by alert employees who realized something was very wrong. The case was open and shut, with Shiiki admitting the charges in court. According to various sources such as Shukan Bunshun, Shiiki even confirmed the girl’s age before propositioning her.
Prosecutors asked for a mere five years in jail. Shiiki’s defense argued for a suspended sentence, saying their client had paid a financial settlement to the victim and was “remorseful.”
Shiiki got what he wanted. According to LiveDoor News, the judge in his case handed down a sentence of three years, with five years suspended.
Many commenters on social media sites pummeled the extraordinarily light sentence. Some are accusing the court to deferring to Shiiki’s status as a politician. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for rape cases in Japan – even those involving minors – to end in either light or, in some cases, zero punishment.
In one case years ago, for example, a judge threw out charges against a father accused of raping his 12-year-old daughter three times a week for two years because he simply refused to believe the accuser. Then, of course, there’s the case of Ito Shiori, who’s spent eight+ years fighting for justice in her case.
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Other forms of sexual assault – particularly molestation – go underreported, as women in Japan believe police won’t take them seriously.
By contrast, 25-year-old Watanabe Mai – a.k.a. “Sugar Baby Riri,” who was accused of defrauding men in romance scams – is serving and eight and a half year prison sentence.
In other words, you’ll get a harsher sentence in Japan for taking money from men than you’ll get for raping a child.
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