18-year-old university wrestler arrested for rape in Yokohama

Tuesday 29th September, 09:24 AM JST

YOKOHAMA —

An 18-year-old student was arrested for rape and assault on Monday after he allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman as she was on her way home in Yokohama City at about midnight on Aug 12.

The suspect, a first-year student at Nippon Sport Science University and a member of the wrestling club, is accused of riding his bicycle into the back of the woman as she was walking home, and then carrying her down a small path between rice fields where he raped her and inflicted injuries to her face and arms. The suspect, who cannot be named because he is a minor, has admitted to the allegations, police said.

Both the suspect and the woman live in Aoba Ward, where the assault took place, and police said security camera footage helped to identify the perpetrator.

A representative from the university said they could not comment until full details of the incident were known. The university’s wrestling club is famous for producing gold medalists in the 1964, 1976 and 1988 Olympics. The club was forced to cease all activities for a month in late 2006 after a 19-year-old member was arrested for stealing a pair of women’s underwear.

News reports

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Latest 15 of 24 Total Comments Show All

2020hindsight at 02:30 PM JST - 29th September

nevarezga

After reading about all these stories, I have wondered if there have been cases where women were accused of groping men, Does anyone knows about reported cases like this? And in such case, is the sentence the same

Um, I think this is a bit more serious than a grope. It is rape. And yes, women grope men, however I have never heard it being reported.

I don't understand how 18 years old is an underage crime? Where I come from as soo as you are 16 you are liable.
Badge213 at 02:51 PM JST - 29th September

Security camera footage? Near a rice field in Aoba-ku? I don't understand this point. There is no such security camera equipment where I live in Tokyo suburb? Why do they have it there and not here? Any ideas?

According to the article she was lead down a path to the rice fields, security cameras could of been affixed to the main street or road prior to the incident showing the two.
Osakadaz at 02:55 PM JST - 29th September

Time for Japan to get serious about the age of adulthood.This 'youth' is likely to repeat this kind of offence,I fear.
moonbeams at 03:10 PM JST - 29th September

After reading about all these stories, I have wondered if there have been cases where women were accused of groping men, Does anyone knows about reported cases like this? And in such case, is the sentence the same?

I would like to address the flawed comment above.

I say flawed for two reasons, one it has absolutely nothing to do with the article and two, the poster tries to compare the rape of a woman (something which often destroys a person's life) to the groping of a man (something that boosts self esteem in men).

I'm a man. I've been groped on a train in Japan by a woman. It lasted for several mintes. I could not move. In no way is that comparable to assaulting and raping a woman. It's sickening to imagine that some people even draw these connections. It means that some men don't understand how serious rape is. And that is scary.
Mookoo at 05:05 PM JST - 29th September

Minors can be tried as adults in cases of serious crime in Japan. Some minors have been sentenced as adults in cases of murder, for example.
ADK99 at 06:41 PM JST - 29th September

It doesn't say he can't be charged, it says he can't be named. Big difference.
Cliffy at 10:39 PM JST - 29th September

18 years old is definitely not a minor.
dolphingirl at 11:00 PM JST - 29th September

As far as I know, the legal age of adulthood in Japan is still 20 although there have been recommendations to lower it to 18.
mnemosyne23 at 11:40 PM JST - 29th September

Disgusting. Just disgusting. I hope they DO choose to charge him as an adult, because he clearly thinks of himself as one.

Just one more reason never to walk home alone at night, especially if you're a woman. I hope the victim is able to recover and gets to see this pig locked away for the better part of his life. The latter is probably unlikely (though we can always dream), but I'll keep my fingers crossed for the former.
nevarezga at 01:41 AM JST - 30th September

Moon beams: the poster tries to compare the rape of a woman (something which often destroys a person's life) to the groping of a man (something that boosts self esteem in men).

I wasn't comparing, rape is a serious crime and I don't even have to say it.

Where I live a 16 boy can be treated as an adult as 2020hindsight said. And I mentioned men groping because the fact that a man could enjoy it, doesn't mean it stops being a crime.
bdiego at 03:30 AM JST - 30th September

isthis: You're joking right? Security cameras are everywhere in Tokyo, and on average you will be videotaped by dozens of cameras in a single day. I'm surprised you didn't know this living in Japan.
KitsuneYoukai at 04:00 AM JST - 30th September

He inflicted injuries to her so I'm thinking a control and anger thing. He will do it again. He needs to be locked up and the key thrown away!!
fishy at 10:19 AM JST - 30th September

some might take advantage of being a "minor", knowing their names won't be released to the public and punishment not as tough.. scary.
Yelnats at 11:45 AM JST - 30th September

So will they suspend the team for 6 moths this time? This is a lot more serious than stealing women`s panties.
elbudamexicano at 01:57 PM JST - 30th September

Boy oh boy, I wrestle too! I am sure I can think of some real nice moves and maybe a broom stick to teach this punk a good lesson!