68-Year-Old Defendant Accused of Indecent Acts Against Young Girl
“I thought I’d teach her a lesson.”
The first trial of defendant Shingo Takahashi (68, at the time of arrest), who is accused of the crime of non-consensual intercourse resulting in injury for making false accusations against an elementary school girl on the street, saying things like “You bumped into me” and then committing an indecent act, was held at the Tokyo District Court on March 4.
“On July 23, 2024, while walking on the street, defendant Takahashi allegedly cried out, ‘Ouch!’ as a girl riding a bicycle passed by, pretending as if she had collided with him. He then told her, ‘Come here,’ and led her about 30 meters away into the garage of a private residence, where he committed an indecent act. The girl sustained injuries, including damage to her hymen,” said a national newspaper social affairs reporter.
For those who wish to learn more details about this case, please refer to the August 14, 2024, issue of FRIDAY Digital.
He partially denied the charges. During the defendant’s questioning that took place that day, Takahashi gave self-serving testimony that could only further distress the victim and her family. Regarding the circumstances of the crime, he claimed:
“I wanted to punish her because she didn’t apologize after bumping into me.”
He insisted that his actions were not driven by lewd intentions. Immediately after the collision on the street, he said he warned the girl:
“You can’t just run away without apologizing after bumping into someone.”
He then continued:
“Since she didn’t respond, I led her into a side alley. In the garage, I shouted, ‘Apologize!’ But she said nothing, and out of frustration, I ended up doing what I did.”
The sheer terror the young girl must have felt after being confronted by the menacing Takahashi is unimaginable.
Regarding the forced oral sex and other acts he committed, he further denied any sexual intent:
“I have diabetes, so I can’t even get an erection or ejaculate. I have no interest in such acts, nor in young girls. It was just to harass her.”
“You made a bad impression by not apologizing.”
“Takahashi took a photo of the girl before the crime, saying it was because she was cute. After the incident, the girl reportedly pleaded, ‘Please don’t post it on social media. I won’t tell anyone, so please don’t tell anyone either.’
He has two prior convictions for forced indecency. Takahashi’s claim that he has no interest in such acts is simply not believable.” (Judicial reporter from a national newspaper)
In the testimony of the victim’s parents:
“Our daughter became afraid to go outside and started living in isolation. She would wake up in the middle of the night, recalling the incident, and become mentally unstable. When she saw an elderly man, she would freeze or run away. She cut her hair short and began dressing in inconspicuous clothing.”
Their statement described the significant changes in their daughter and the deep emotional scars left by the incident.
When the prosecutor asked, “Why would harassment take the form of indecent acts?” Takahashi, who has a total of four prior convictions, including two for forced indecency, responded:
“I think it was due to my illness and the way my mind works. That’s just my pathological nature.”
His response was nothing more than an unacceptable excuse. When asked about his feelings of remorse, he said, “I do feel sorry.” However, he added:
“I don’t think the girl’s parents will ever forgive me. I believe they would be happier if I didn’t apologize and instead spent as much time in prison as possible.”
He never actually apologized. His selfish remarks prompted the judge to ask, “Can you not at least apologize to her parents?”
Even then, Takahashi remained unrepentant, responding:
“If they want me to, I’ll bow down or do whatever, but is that really what they want?”
Not a single person in the courtroom doubted that Takahashi deserved a severe sentence.
PHOTO： Shinji Hasuo
