Chinese Tourist Arrested for Indecent Assault on Woman in Asakusa’s Nakamise

Grabbing the left breast firmly.

The first trial of Zhang Weixiong, a 33-year-old Chinese national (at the time of arrest), accused of non-consensual indecent assault for touching the chest of a woman in her 20s on the street, was held at the Tokyo District Court on December 4.

“A bug is on my back. A bug got into my clothes.”

According to the indictment, in June of this year, the defendant Zhang approached a 21-year-old woman on the street of Nakamise-dori in Asakusa, Tokyo, using the above words. He then put her in a state where it was difficult for her to fully resist (while she was able to express her unwillingness to engage in sexual acts, it was challenging for her to act on that intent). He proceeded to insert his hand into her clothing and firmly grab her left breast.

“Zhang had come to Japan with his family for sightseeing. After similar incidents were reported, the police conducted an investigation and found Zhang captured on nearby surveillance cameras. At the time of his arrest, he reportedly denied the charges, stating, ‘I have no recollection of this,'” said a national newspaper’s social affairs reporter.

Zhang appeared in court wearing a gray sweatsuit, with the word “ASAKUSA” printed in Roman letters on his back. His strikingly large, double-lidded eyes lacked vitality, reflecting signs of exhaustion. Appearing not to understand Japanese, the trial was conducted with an interpreter. After the prosecution read out the indictment, Zhang admitted, “That is correct,” and hung his head.

“This case has also garnered reactions on Chinese social media, where Zhang has been harshly criticized with strong words like national disgrace and shameful. The trial has drawn significant attention, and among the spectators was a student from Hong Kong, who remarked, ‘It’s a rare case that’s causing criticism in China,'” said a social affairs reporter familiar with Chinese affairs.

Incidents involving Chinese nationals in Japan have been on the rise. In May, a Chinese video streamer using the account name “Ironhead” filmed himself spraying the word “Toilet” in red paint on the nameplate (a large stone monument bearing the shrine’s name) at Yasukuni Shrine. He also made gestures mimicking urination. The video was shared widely on Chinese social media, where some voices even hailed him as a hero, saying, “Well done! A true hero!”