35-Year-Old Man Accused of Sexual Assault on Middle School Girl at Hotel

“I knew she was a minor.”

The arrested man made this statement to the police and has reportedly admitted to the charges.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Tanashi Station arrested 35-year-old company employee Daichi Kobayashi, a resident of Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, on suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse as of September 2. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 16-year-old middle school girl, identified as A.

“Kobayashi and A met through a chat app on social media. Kobayashi allegedly lured her with persuasive words and met her for the first time on the night of June 9. He is said to have taken A to a hotel in Musashino City, Tokyo, and forcibly assaulted her despite her resistance. A’s father, suspicious of his daughter being out late at night, consulted the police, leading to the discovery of the incident,” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department.

Our magazine’s photographer captured images of Kobayashi’s transfer on September 3. Initially, he appeared expressionless as he looked at the press while leaving the police station, but just before getting into the transport vehicle, he lowered his head and looked down.

 

I’ll let you stay the night.

Cases of minors becoming victims of sexual abuse after meeting men through social media continue to be a serious issue. What stands out are the appalling invitations used by the suspects. Here are some examples from recent incidents:

・In January 2021, a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of child prostitution. The man searched for girls troubled by physical relationships with their boyfriends on social media. He posted messages like, “I sell emergency contraception,” and contacted a middle school girl. In exchange for providing low-dose birth control pills, he reportedly performed indecent acts at a hotel. After his arrest, he stated to the police that he had resold contraceptives to about 40 women.

・In August 2023, a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of indecent kidnapping and confinement. He is alleged to have confined a middle school girl he met on social media in his apartment and touched her chest and lower body. The man had lied about his age by 20 years, saying, “I’ll teach you some studying” and lured her near a local station. He admitted during the investigation that he was interested in teenage girls.

・In January 2024, a university student in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of requesting meetings for indecent purposes. He is alleged to have targeted a girl with a desire to run away from home on social media, inviting her with messages like, “When are you leaving home?” and “I’ll let you stay over.” He met with a middle school girl who had run away in October 2023 and is said to have committed indecent acts at his home and a hotel. The incident was discovered when the girl escaped from his room while he was out.

Meeting men you have met on social media in person is obviously very risky. Especially if you meet them alone, it can lead to serious trouble. The police are urging middle and high school students nationwide to be cautious.