Tragic Death Before Verdict: Harem Man Reflects on Polygamous Life

It was the day before the verdict.

Defendant Hirofumi Shibuya (76), a former fortune teller who had been living with multiple women and was referred to as a “harem man,” and who was on trial for charges including quasi-forced sexual intercourse, passed away on January 19. Just after 10 p.m. on the same day, a woman living with Shibuya found him collapsed at his home in Higashiyamato City, Tokyo. He was immediately transported to the hospital, but his death was confirmed about an hour later. It is believed that he took his own life.

“On the following day, the Tokyo District Court, Tachikawa Branch, was scheduled to hand down its verdict. Shibuya was arrested in February 2023 on suspicion of having had quasi-forcible sexual intercourse. He allegedly attempted to sexually assault a teenage girl whom his ex-wife invited to their home.

 Shibuya tried to brainwash the woman by telling her, you will be taken away by aliens, skinned and eaten. The only way to avoid death is to have sexual intercourse with me. At that time, Shibuya was living a polygamous life with his then wife, eight women by marriage, and three children, for a total of 13 people. Shibuya was arrested five times.”

What was the nature of his life with multiple women? Defendant Shibuya, while on probation, agreed to an interview with this magazine in July 2007 and revealed the grim details over the course of two hours. Below, we will re-record Shibuya’s own words (with some parts modified for clarity).

To collect money and have sexual relations

 At the time of the interview, Shibuya said:

“I am currently living with 10 women. Before I was arrested in January of last year (2006), I convinced them by saying, ‘It will cause a stir, so why not go back to your parents’ house?’ But by May of that same year, after I was released, they all came back, saying, ‘I feel more comfortable here.’ I wonder what’s so good about a guy like me.”

The ages of the women living with Shibuya ranged from their 20s to 50s, and there were suspicions that they had been brainwashed.

“The media says I used mind control or hypnosis, but I don’t have such powers. The reason the prosecution claimed I lived with these women was ‘to gather money and have sexual relations’—and I admitted to that because I thought it would satisfy the public. The real reason I live with these women is far too complex for anyone to understand.”

It seems that Shibuya’s lifestyle was largely supported by the women.

“The women work part-time at convenience stores and supermarkets to earn money. They leave for work around 8 a.m., but I don’t get up until around 10 a.m. I spend my time leisurely, trimming the garden or fixing broken furniture, just in my underwear. The pocket money I get from them is about 3,000 yen a month. I like reading science magazines, so I buy ‘Newton’ and ‘Children’s Science.'”

His night life was also active, as he admitted:

“I have sexual intercourse, of course, because I’m a man. Heh heh, I won’t say how many times a week, as that’s private for the women. It’s pretty normal. The only question I refused to answer during police questioning was, ‘Who is your favorite?’ I said, ‘If I answer that, the other women will kill me,’ and the police officers laughed.”

With Shibuya’s death, it has become difficult to fully uncover the truth behind the sexual assault incidents involving the so-called “harem man.” His testimony, as shared in this interview, may provide a rare glimpse into the reality of the situation.