Unemployed Man’s Disturbing Crimes Against Teen Girl and His Astonishing Justification

“I don’t remember because it was over a year ago.”

This was the shocking remark the perpetrator made during questioning. Using social media with the aim of papa-katsu, he approached a first-year high school girl, gave her money, and engaged in lewd acts. By April 30, the Metropolitan Police Department’s Juvenile Division had arrested Naoki Kanzaki (45), an unemployed man living in Tachikawa City, Tokyo.

“Suspect Kanzaki is believed to have lured the girl—knowing she was 15 years old—via social media last March, and at a hotel in Shinjuku Ward, gave her 25,000 yen in cash and engaged in lewd acts. He is suspected of meeting for obscene purposes and non-consensual sexual intercourse. However, Kanzaki denies the charges, claiming ‘I don’t remember,’” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department.

Kanzaki continues to deny the allegations during questioning. Meanwhile, the victim girl reportedly said she responded to Kanzaki’s summons because she “wanted to spoil a boy she liked.” When Kanzaki was sent to prosecutors at the end of April, he glanced briefly at the press but quickly looked down, perhaps out of guilt. Then, squinting against the bright camera flashes and grimacing, he got into the police transport vehicle.

New system launched to prevent recidivism

Attorney Shuji Suzuki, an expert on obscene acts cases, predicts the future developments.

“Investigations into the facts of the sexual intercourse will continue. However, the fact that the police proceeded with the arrest suggests they likely have concrete evidence such as hotel entry and exit records or surveillance camera footage. If found guilty, the main issue will be the length of the prison sentence. Considering Kanzaki denies the charges, a settlement is unlikely. For non-consensual intercourse, the minimum prison term is five years. However, if mitigating circumstances are recognized and the sentence is reduced to three years or less, probation may be granted.

Since the victim is under 16, consent is irrelevant. However, in this case, the victim made statements suggesting there was consent, such as ‘I wanted to spoil the boy I liked,’ so it will be interesting to see how the judge evaluates the mitigating circumstances.”

Sex crimes are known for high recidivism rates. As stricter punishments advance as countermeasures, Attorney Suzuki hopes for the rehabilitation programs starting in June.

“Based on the revised Penal Code, from June 1 this year, imprisonment and penal servitude will be unified as detention penalties. Along with this, inmates will undergo rehabilitation programs corresponding to their crimes. It’s the first such initiative, so its effectiveness is unknown, but I hope it helps reduce recidivism. At the same time, society-wide efforts to cultivate a culture that does not tolerate sex crimes remain essential.”

Taking advantage of youth and exploiting a girl 30 years younger is unforgivable. If found guilty, he must atone for his crimes and never repeat the same mistakes.