“I didn’t ejaculate”: Former politician justifies sexual assault on Kabukicho runaway

The trial of former House of Representatives member Tamotsu Shiiki got underway at Tokyo District Court on December 24. He is standing trial for sexual assault of a junior high school first grader in August last year, having picked the runaway up in Kabukicho — one of many such so-called Toyoko kids in the Shinjuku district — and taken her to a nearby karaoke place knowing that she was underage.

At the karaoke parlor, the member of staff was concerned, because Shiiki and the 12-year-old girl did not seem to be a father and daughter. They asked for a name and phone number, and Shiiki gave a false one. The staff assigned them a room that was visible from a busy passageway. When they went to check, they saw Shiiki with the girl, who was by then naked, and called the police. Shiiki refused to answer the police officers’ questions and simply gave his business card, and was allowed to leave.

Shiiki has had a a career closely involved with education, including begin a junior and high school teacher, and sitting on the board of education. He served two terms in the lower house from 2012, representing Chiba District 12 for the Japan Innovation Party, a conservative populist party.

Though he denied the accusation immediately after his arrested in September, he admitted the assault at his first hearing in early December.

Things were different on December 24, when he appeared in court in a dark, smart suit and having possibly dyed his hair black. Shiiki then began to answer questions from the prosecutors, attempting to justify and defend his actions through equivocal responses.

“I am reflecting on what I did on a daily basis. I am deeply sorry,” he claimed.

But he also goes on: “I wanted to do something for her because she was a runaway. She was looking for someone to talk to.”

Before entering the karaoke parlor, he went to Don Quijote to buy lubricant. Why did he buy lube? “I suppose I was expecting to use it at the karaoke parlor, but I didn’t realize what I had done until I saw the photo of the evidence during the interrogation.” He claimed not to even remember buying the lube.

Why did he give a false name? “As a member of the House of Representatives, I would frequently use another name. My own name, Shiiki, is quite hard for people to hear when making a reservation at a restaurant.”

After ordering two grapefruit juices, he started to have sex with her.

“She was very polite and seemed mentally strong, so I gave into an adult temptation.”

He attempted to defend himself.

“I didn’t ejaculate,” he claimed, before going on to suggest that he had had a temporary personality switch. “In the 58 years I have been alive, I was a different person only when I did [the assault].”

And as for the ¥10,000 he gave her, “it was intended as money for her to take a taxi home.”

Prosecutors are seeking a five-year sentence. Shiiki’s defense is asking for a suspended sentence. “He has indicated his remorse and promised not to do it again, and has paid the victim compensation.”

The judges will give their verdict on February 3.