Saturday May 26, 2012

Olympic judo gold medalist arrested on suspicion of raping teenage girl

Crime ( 67 )

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Masato Uchishiba AFP

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  • 7

    ebisen

    This guy is toast... A teenage girl is under the age of legal drinking, and she was under his responsibility. As such she can not legally consent...

  • -11

    TravisB

    It quite a jump from sexual harrassment to rape. That won't help her case.

    As such she can not legally consent...

    I seriously doubt a Japanese court, or any rational court, will consider it rape because she was drinking and because she is under the drinking age. But if she was passed out, I am sure they might, depending on circumstances.

    For example, if this all happened from start to finish at a love hotel, she can forget about it. Not saying that makes everything okay. It doesn't. But it makes it darned hard to prove rape if a woman goes willingly into a love hotel with a man. Besides, the man's confusion becomes understandable. That act usually takes away the need to ask difficult questions, such as "Do you want to do it?"

  • 6

    soldave

    My money's on a 2-year suspended sentence, and the incident being described as "regrettable".

  • -1

    YongYang

    A very difficult and sad situation. A whole minefiled of perhaps. maybes and others.

  • 12

    Nicky Washida

    I saw the news last night and this morning. it wasnt a love hotel, it was an ordiary - in fact quite nice - normal hotel. And apparently this guy has something of a "reputation" around campus.....

    ...it doesnt matter that she was drinking underage and whether she was passed out or otherwise. He was in a position of responsibility, and he shouldnt have laid a finger on her. Dickhead. His career and reputation is now blown.

  • 1

    Godan

    My money's on a 2-year suspended sentence, and the incident being described as "regrettable".

    And don't forget the obligatory "sorry money".

  • -2

    Daijoboots

    arrested Tuesday on suspicion of raping

    I would be hesitant to use the word rape. He has been arrested for jungoukan. The jun there would seem to indicate a lesser offence i.e. sexual assault. At any rate, he is finished, and other women may come forward.

  • -2

    smithinjapan

    '“I cannot accept it,” Uchishiba, who retired from competition last year, was quoted as saying by an MPD spokesman.'

    I'm sure the girl you raped 'couldn't accept it' either, but that didn't stop a Judo professional from doing the deed. This guy's done. This made the international media yesterday, along with the Ferarri debacle and more news from Olympus... not a lot of positive stuff coming from this nation in terms of news these days.

  • -1

    Reckless

    The oldest trick in the book. Ladies be careful when out drining, also watch for sleeping meds poured into your drink.

  • 0

    Dennis Bauer

    “We are extremely surprised,” why that he got caught? they don't condemn him at all?

  • 1

    tmarie

    Oldest trick in the book but it can work both ways. The guy sounds very, very slimy but rather questionable circumstances. Certainly not defending him but why on earth would you go back to some guy's hotel room with no intention of sex - and more so when he's a judo guy and can easily do what he wants? This is Japan! I thought it was pretty much agreed that sex is part of a shared hotel stay. Heck, visiting someone's apartment is thought of as a 'yes' in this area. Going to be tricky to prove.

    If she was raped, good on her for coming forward. More women here need to do that.

    Japan needs to do something about the underaged drinking here. Most of my 18 year old students go out and get trashed on the weekends. No one ever asks for ID. Either lower the drinking age or start fining places that serve minors.

  • 4

    soldave

    tmarie - Think that's a problem worldwide though; you lower it to 18 and 16 year olds go out and drink. Lower it further and it happens at an even younger age. Need some sort of educational campaign that actually gets through to kids, and doesn't sugarcoat things.

  • 4

    MaboDofuIsSpicy

    Who would want to have sex with a passed out person?

    And why do they call this clown a professor?

  • 3

    cl400

    Thankfully this was reported because as some of you may know, rape is often not (in this country) due to shame, loosing face or the victim being threatened. Sadly it's a crime that has a reasonably light penalty in comparison to other countries. You would probably get a longer jail sentence for having a gram of any drug on you. Unfortunately it is also a crime that is (may I say) promoted widely through adult entertainment, manga, etc. Although it would be extremely hard to discourage people from such an awful crime, I think Masato should be made an example of. Show the public that everyone is treated equally when it comes to paying the penalty for something. Oh, but wait... they're not... : (

  • -6

    Mirai Hayashi

    how old was the girl? If she was over 18, then I'm not so sure he's guilty. If she is like 14, then guilty for sure.

  • -6

    cactusJack

    One horny dude.

  • -5

    Crystalyle

    These Japanese seem to be really fascinated with underage girls. I'm still curious as to how anyone found out about this. Shame on this guy though. He has to take responsibility for the situation he got himself into. Hope he gets himself a good lawyer.

  • 1

    Triumvere

    how old was the girl? If she was over 18, then I'm not so sure he's guilty. If she is like 14, then guilty for sure.

    Hard to consent if you are passed out on a bed.

  • -6

    Mirai Hayashi

    nobody forced her to go to the hotel though...and in many instances, hotel = sex in Japan...unless she obviously a child of course

  • -1

    InspectorBlake

    It could well be a good idea to install video cameras in all hotel rooms except those for married couples and families. The bathroom excepted of course. Vermin like this man would either not commit the crime of be caught very quickly.

  • -1

    Elbuda Mexicano

    What an idiot!!

  • 1

    Elbuda Mexicano

    I bet this is not even his first rape!! More victims may come out! I hope they throw the book at him!

  • -3

    samwatters

    @Mirai Hayashi: "how old was the girl? If she was over 18, then I'm not so sure he's guilty. If she is like 14, then guilty for sure."

    I was wondering the same thing.

  • -3

    China Sailor

    Oh, come on now.... This is Japan... He's Japanese, what ever happened to, "boys will be boys" as we so often see with every other case of malfeasance....? Slap him on the wrist and give him a job as a police training officer... He's certainly more than qualified. And I think he said he was drinking, so in Japan, that makes everything ok.

  • -5

    Elbuda Mexicano

    This idiot gorilla has rocks for brains! Modis operendi?? Oh she was wasted drunk out of her brains asleep so he could not resist?? I'm now sure it was not his first rape!!

  • 0

    mrkobayashi

    Bad job of translating. He said, "nattoku dekinai, doui no moto datta" which means "I cannot agree to this charge, as it was of mutual consent." However, the article just says "I can't accept it."

  • 0

    Hategobo

    Irrespective of whether this took place in an hotel or in someones home, or that she was snow white or an old slapper drunk or sober No means NO.

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    Mirai Hayashi: "how old was the girl? If she was over 18, then I'm not so sure he's guilty."

    I wasn't aware there was an age from which rape is legal. It doesn't anywhere say 'statutory rape', it just says rape -- and that's illegal regardless of age, and a heinous crime at that. Lock him up at least five years.

  • 0

    Triumvere

    I'm not sure why we are discussing her age anyway. Man was the coach of a university judo team. The girl was a member. Thus we can assume she is 18-19. The only relevance would be that she was not old enough to legally drink.

  • -4

    Dog

    She was underage for the legal age of drinking, which is 21.

    She is around or 19 years old since she was attending Kyushu University of Nursing and Social Welfare.

    By the afternoon news it sounds like the woman's crying rape in revenge for him telling his mates that he had porked her.

    He's still a dick for slipping one to his students, but this is Japan!!!

  • 1

    PeaceWarrior

    What an idiot!!

    Judo'n say!

  • 0

    soldave

    China Sailor - he was drinking? In that case, no case to answer! Maybe not even a suspended sentence. A 45 degree bow for around 5-7 seconds while lots of cameras flash, and then limit public appearances for 3-6 months before the big comeback at the Olympics (scratch the last bit if he hasn't qualified - don't keep up to date with Judo results on the whole).

  • 1

    thepro

    It's unfortunate and regrettable

  • 2

    ribstick

    Not to get nitpicky, but since when did "regrettable" become part of the vernacular? It almost, almost relieves the dude of some responsibility, like "I feel sorry that this happened". What he did was "shameful", "irresponsible", "criminal"...something that indicates the severity of the offense.

  • 0

    Elbuda Mexicano

    This idiot full should go to soapland pay some ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ ¥¥¥¥££€€€€$$)))!!!! and do the dirty or if you want to say you just washed up and avoid all of these crimes, right??

  • 3

    tmarie

    nobody forced her to go to the hotel though...and in many instances, hotel = sex in Japan...unless she obviously a child of course

    I am not sure why Mirai got so many thumbs down for this. This is the mentality in Japan. If a girl agrees to go to a hotel with a guy, it pretty much is seen as consent - by both guys and girls. The same for inviting and accepting an apartment invite.

    She was underage for the legal age of drinking, which is 21. No, it isn't. The legal age to drink here is 20. You also can't blame HIM for HER drinking. If she went to an izakaya of her own free will and ordered drinks, you can't blame him. Japan doesn't have the same rules as other places about minors drinking - which is why I made the comment that Japan needs to start dealing with its underage drinking. Anyone can get a drink here, anyone can get into a bar. Anyone can rock up to a vending machine and get a beer. This is why this guy may get off on this - she made some really stupid choices and knowing the legal system here, they will use that as evidence that she's not a good girl and probably consented. Is that right? Certainly not but that's the way this works all over the world.

    These Japanese seem to be really fascinated with underage girls Not all.

    Irrespective of whether this took place in an hotel or in someones home, or that she was snow white or an old slapper drunk or sober No means NO. Indeed no means no but here, agreeing to go to a hotel is pretty much consent.

    Why don't we wait until we get all the detail before we burn him at the stake? Sorry but I find it a little suspicious timing with everything that happened with this guy a few weeks ago. It is really, really easy for women to cry foul here and then try and extort money - many, many cases of this with rape and with groping on the train (which is why some guys now hook both arms in the hand loops). I hope this is actually the case rather than this girl having been raped. Japan needs to get serious about this issue - they also need to get serious about sentencing and reporting as well.

  • -2

    Mirai Hayashi

    I wasn't aware there was an age from which rape is legal. It doesn't anywhere say 'statutory rape', it just says rape -- and that's illegal regardless of age, and a heinous crime at that. Lock him up at least five years.

    Hold the phone! Let's clarify something here. IF she is is under 18, then its statutory rape (although Japanese law is a bit vague in this area.) However if she is 18 and over, then she is is a consenting adult unless he forced himself on her.

    The story says that she was out drinking with him, and I am not sure what the circumstances are that got them in the same hotel room, but I assumed that if she's there, then she had consented at one point or another. You can't tell the guy "yes", then say "no" during or after. Yes its pretty f'd up if he had sex with her while she was asleep, but if they were at that hotel because she gave the go sign, then he's not that guilty then, is he. This is probably why he thinks or says that she consented...hence I asked how old she is.

  • -2

    Mirai Hayashi

    One last thing, JT left out a lot of details: 1. The girl's age 2. type of hotel (love hotel?, city hotel?) 3. Who the hotel room belonged to (if it belonged to him, then he doesn't seem so guilty ....if it belonged to her, then its a little suspicious) 4. circumstances of how the ended up there together -did he force himself in? Did she invite him? did she follow him? So many details are unknown that its impossible to make a conclusion.

    It could be very possible that she consented and didn't remember because she was so drunk and panicked when she realized what she did. SO, I'd like to believe that he is innocent until proven (not based on a patchy story on JT but WITH FACTS) that he is guilty.

  • 3

    Nicky Washida

    The impression I am getting from news and other sources is that the team were all staying in the hotel in Tokyo for a training camp. She didnt "go to a hotel with him" - they were staying in that hotel.

    They had all been out drinking, and it is a bit cloudy what happened from there, but he could conceivably as the coach and "responsible" member of the party, have helped her back to her room, or his room, if she was that drunk that she was on the brink of passing out. And then done the deed.

    However, it is sadly equally conceivable that this girl has somehow regretted her actions and is now crying rape, especially if he has been bragging around. IF that is the case then SHE deserves to be prosecuted. Women like this wreck lives and cause true victims of rape a really tough time.

    I dont know if it means anything, but this happened in September and she is only now coming forward. I wonder what has made her finally go to the police? Was it having the courage and support of friends and family? Or was it getting peed off with her growing reputation on campus because of his inability to keep his mouth shut? Either way, I hope the real truth comes out.

  • 1

    tmarie

    Well said Nicky!

    You can't tell the guy "yes", then say "no" during or after.

    You obviously can't say no after the fact (and some women do make false accusations and should be charged) but you can say no during. And legally, the guy must stop. If he continues it goes from consensual to rape - though proving such a thing would be damn hard.

  • 0

    lostrune2

    He was just showing her some judo moves.

  • -4

    hoserfella

    pretty simple. The scumbag got her drunk and forced himself on her. No ifs, ands, or buts needed. There seem to be a few nervous posters on this thread trying to excuse what he did with the usual semantics which is sad to see.

  • 1

    tmarie

    I haven't seen anyone "excuse" him for anything - if he did do anything. Bit fast to be judging, aren't we?

  • 2

    DS

    It seems the line between teacher/coach and student is really blurry in Japan. We all know or know of high school teachers who courted and eventually married their students. I find it a moral/ethical problem that teachers and students go out drinking together. I can't imagine doing that, especially if I knew they were underage. There has to be some line of professionalism....

    Teachers drink with teachers, students with students.

  • 1

    iceshoecream

    Have they checked the minor for ID's, she wouldn't have been able to get drunk at the izakaya.

  • 0

    GW

    Well one this is for certain in this & that is this GUY is more than a few cards short of a full deck!

    Irregardless of how all this happened, what a dolt!

  • 1

    PeaceWarrior

    I find it a moral/ethical problem that teachers and students go out drinking together.

    It is required in some universities that professors go out with their counseling students. The university covers the cost.

  • 1

    PeaceWarrior

    By going out, I mean going out for dinner and drinks... and not one-on-one. I thought I should clarify my earlier statement.

  • -2

    hoserfella

    I haven't seen anyone "excuse" him for anything - if he did do anything. Bit fast to be judging, aren't we?

    tmarie - I don't think we (I've always felt so proper using the royal "we"!) are fast at all. Theres no secret as to what happened.

  • -1

    avenger

    He has a wife and kid

  • 0

    tmarie

    Have they checked the minor for ID's, she wouldn't have been able to get drunk at the izakaya. They actually interviewed the izakaya owner on TV this evening and all I could think was "Why hasn't HE been arrested for giving drinks to minors???"

    Hoser, I don't appreciate it when the media jumps all over foreigners and fingers them for a crime they may or may not have committed. I also don't like it when they do the same to the Japanese. There is no secret? Perhaps. But we also don't know what actually happened and seems to be a case of he said, she said. Why are you so keen to condemn him?

    Much like DS, I don't agree with teacher/students dating. I didn't mind the odd drink with a prof at the bar with a group after class. However, I never did that while underage - I wouldn't have gotten in the bar and I highly doubt the prof would have gone with me even if I could. It is messed up that these kids can drink without getting carded. mind you, I think 20 being the legal age is pathetic too.

  • -1

    soldave

    ribstick - I think "regrettable" is used when referring to an incident that the accused/those in charge didn't want to be made public, yet refuse to apologise for.

  • 1

    TopHatAndCane

    It seems odd how few people who comment on these stories know that a man is innocent until proven guilty. Notice that the article uses "alleged" rather often. Until I hard evidence for rape is shown, the possibility of consent must be taken into consideration.

  • 1

    The_the_in_the_way

    The problem does not seem to be teacher/student relationships. So why do we need to go into that? The problem does not seem to be age of consent either, so why do we need to go into that?

    Rape does not become okay because someone is old enough and not a student.

    Why anyone would be so concerned about age and a teacher/student relationship if there is no rape is beyond me. Plenty of such relationships have ended in marriage.

    What seems clear is that Uchishiba had no honorable intentions whatsoever. It seems went so far out on slender limb, that even if he is not guilty of rape I have no pity for him. Yet, I hope the truth comes out.

  • -2

    Mirai Hayashi

    ＠TopHatAndCane

    Precisely my point...people are ready hang based on what JT is reporting what a teenaged girl said and thinks. There is a VERY good chance that this man is totally innocent. We just need to see how this plays out.

  • -2

    Elbuda Mexicano

    @Horsefella I agree with 100%!!

  • 3

    Canucker

    Lawl @ the dyslexic Mexican.

    Hoser, you're speaking about things in definitive terms, "He did this", as if you have firsthand knowledge, that's why you're being accused of being judgmental. There were a lot of factors at play, and imposing your personal morality doesn't help the discussion.

    And there are a lot of secrets around the whole thing, if they were drinking I doubt anyone has a perfect recollection of the evening.

    You've been presented one side of a story and are acting as if you know everything, even going so far as judging the people involved. Learn to differentiate between perception and reality. None of this is to say I think what happened was okay, just that you have to acknowledge that you can't know the whole story.

  • -4

    hoserfella

    Canucker, I haven't imposed my "personal morality" on anything. The only thing I did impose was my personal experience in this country as to the Old Boys Network in Judo circles and their childish behavior around women. Then I used my power of deduction knowing that this scumbag made sure a compliant 19 year-old (a student in his charge, mind you) got nicely drunk. Its called putting two and two together.

  • 1

    Canucker

    Ah but you have.

    You've repeatedly expressed your outrage over his actions, even calling him a scumbag, ignoring cultural differences that as a Canadian (I'm assuming from the name, you'll forgive me if I'm mistaken.) you should be MORE equipped to handle than most. By doing so you've implied that what he's done is wrong.

    It's been stated that the teacher/student relationship is different in Japan, but you keep speaking as if this went on in North America. You can't hold him to the same moral standards, because different ones apply. I'm not trying to say any of this is "right" or "moral", but you're insistent on labeling it as "wrong" or "immoral". Sitting there and accusing someone of being guilty before a court has reached a decision is pure ignorance.

    I suppose I'll ask since you specifically state it, how do you KNOW anything? Were you there? In person, watching what happened, while not drinking? Didn't think so.

    Again, you've been presented one side of a story, and are speaking authoritatively on the subject. You don't know any more than the rest of us, and your snap judgments are almost humorous in their ignorance. (Not quite though)

  • 0

    Scotch

    I can't believe some people are blaming the girl for "going back to the hotel". The article doesn't make it clear or not if this is where everyone was staying for the training camp or if in fact it was her room!

    Either way, no teacher should be out drinking with his students and sleeping with them! This guy is supposed to look after them and he takes them out underage drinking. If he's guilty of rape he should be jailed and for failing at his duties as a teacher he should never be allowed to coach again!

  • -3

    hoserfella

    By doing so you've implied that what he's done is wrong.

    Canucker - are you implying that what he has done is right?

    ignoring cultural differences

    Raping your underage student ok in Japan - Gotcha.

  • -1

    The_the_in_the_way

    Raping your underage student ok in Japan - Gotcha.

    There you go again, posting as if you were there. I am surprised this website tolerates your behavior.

    • Moderator

      Readers, please stop bickering. Focus your comments on the story and not at each other.

  • 0

    Joselito Asi

    So sad to hear this news.

  • 0

    timtak

    It is a crime or misdemenour to allow a minor under your parental supervision or direction (kantoku) to drink without attempting to stop them. The punishment is the lowest under Japanese law: a fine or forgeiture (karyou) of up to 10,000 yen.

    According to a television report, the lady was so drunk that she was unable to walk to Mr. Uchishiba's room, where he carried (piggy back) her.

    Mrs Dewi Sukarno has drawn controversy for defending Mr. Uchishiba on her blog. According to Dewi Sukarno's blog, the staff of the izakaya said that Mr.Uchishiba warned the lady (presumably not to drink), that she was not that drunk in the restaurant, and that she had lost her keys. Dewi Fuujin reports the latter fact (if fact) as if it stood in Mr. Uchishiba's favour but obviously it could implicate that the lady had no intention of going to Mr. Uchishiba's room.

    Seperate from any rape charge, adults that have sex with minors (under 20) would appear to be in danger of being accused of falling foul of regional ordinance which forbid acts of "lewd conduct" (inkou) such as sex with minors where, accoring to a wikipedia quoted high court case, in the absense of a romantic relationship, the adult unfairly uses the minor's immaturity to seduce, pressurise, trouble or decieve the minor into having sex for the sake of the adult's sexual gratification. Such ordinances prohibiting "lewd conduct" exist in all prefectures other than Ishikawa and Mie, where there may be city-wide laws. http://www.geocities.co.jp/WallStreet-Stock/5556/jourei.html

  • -1

    Tamesu San

    @smithinjapan '“I cannot accept it,” Uchishiba, who retired from competition last year, was quoted as saying by an MPD spokesman.'

    I'm sure the girl you raped 'couldn't accept it' either, but that didn't stop a Judo professional from doing the deed. This guy's done. This made the international media yesterday, along with the Ferarri debacle and more news from Olympus... not a lot of positive stuff coming from this nation in terms of news these days...I agree!

  • 0

    darkwolf15455

    I think it is a disgrace that he had to get her drunk why can't he just go find a girlfriend and left his students alone and he wouldn't be in this mess.

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