[Follow-up Report] Discrepancies in Supercar Fraud Trial Involving Aggressive Couple

Domestic violence and threats from her husband.

The two defendants admitted to the charges. Defendant Nomura stated:

“I had a master-servant relationship with (Takatoshi Saito).”

Defendant Chika Saito tearfully claimed:

“I couldn’t refuse due to my husband’s violence and threats.”

“Chika Saito dressed in luxury brands and lived a flashy lifestyle. Since the couple was thought to be the masterminds, her testimony was surprising. There was much attention on what Takatoshi Saito would say in his initial trial,” said a reporter from a national newspaper.

Takatoshi Saito, who entered the courtroom dressed in gray sweatpants, had messy, half-blackened blonde hair. His left front hair was tied with a rubber band. Having participated in a bodybuilding competition, his robust physique gave off an intimidating presence. Before the hearing, he gave the crowded gallery a sharp glance with a sulky expression.

On this day, it was revealed that Takatoshi Saito had been stealing in the Gold’s Gym locker room. He stole a driver’s license from a locker and forged credit cards. He purchased 13 bottles of expensive whiskey, worth approximately 2.9 million yen, at a liquor store, then resold them to a buying company for about 2.5 million yen.

When the judge asked, “Is there anything wrong with the indictment?” a silence spread in the courtroom. After about 10 seconds, Takatoshi Saito answered, “There’s nothing in particular.”

Then, seemingly determined, he asserted quickly:

“I don’t want the meaning to be misunderstood. I did not conspire with Chika Saito. I had been forcing her into submission through violence and verbal abuse in daily life.”

Regarding his relationship with Nomura, who was said to have a master-servant relationship with him, he said:

“There was no master-servant relationship with Nomura. As far as I’m concerned, he was an unnecessary person. I never gave him any instructions. Nomura came to me saying, ‘I’m in financial trouble, and I want to do this together.’”

He completely denied Nomura’s testimony.