Chinese Tourist Faces 3-Year Sentence for Indecent Acts in Asakusa After Travel Losses

“I want to relieve stress.”

The trial of Zhang Weihong, a 33-year-old Chinese national, accused of indecent assault for groping the chest of a woman in her 20s on the street, took place at the Tokyo District Court on January 21.

According to the indictment, Zhang allegedly approached a 21-year-old woman on Nakamise Street in Asakusa, Tokyo, in June of last year, telling her there’s something on your clothes. He then allegedly put his hand inside her clothing, groping her left breast, putting her in a state where it was difficult to assert her will to refuse (although she had expressed her unwillingness to engage in sexual activity, it was difficult for her to act upon that desire).

In his first court appearance in December, Zhang acknowledged the charges, stating, “I am guilty.” On the day of the trial, he appeared in a white T-shirt over a long-sleeved undershirt, wearing beige cotton pants. His lifeless eyes reflected signs of fatigue, suggesting the length of his time in detention in a foreign country.

“Zhang’s trip to Japan in June of last year was reportedly a pre-wedding trip to celebrate his fiancée’s birthday. During a sightseeing trip in Asakusa with his fiancée, he committed the assault. After returning home the following day, Zhang came back to Japan in October for another sightseeing trip with his fiancée and her family.

It was later discovered that during his time in Japan, Zhang had committed similar acts of indecent assault against another woman in her 20s. Authorities, having gathered information about his crimes, received advance notice of his re-entry into Japan. Police officers were waiting at the airport and arrested Zhang upon his arrival.” (Investigation sources)