43-Year-Old Man Arrested for Repeated Assaults on Teenage Women in Morning Trains

The train was so crowded with commuters and students that movement was nearly impossible. The man stood closely behind his female target, pressing his lower body against her. It is alleged that he committed the act under these circumstances.

By July 9, the Kuramae Police Station of the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Kensuke Nishimiya (43), a company employee living in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, on suspicion of non-consensual indecent assault and property damage. He is said to have admitted to the charges during questioning.

“A case under arrest occurred on the morning of November 18 last year. During the morning rush on the crowded inbound Keisei Oshiage Line train, Nishimiya allegedly committed an indecent act on a teenage woman, A-san. Nishimiya reportedly stood behind A-san and pressed his lower body against her. It is also alleged that he sprayed bodily fluids on her clothing. The two had no prior acquaintance,” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department.

After getting off the train, A-san noticed her clothes were soiled with bodily fluids and consulted the police. Security camera footage and other evidence led to Nishimiya’s identification as the perpetrator.

“I am very sorry.”

Suspect Nishimiya reportedly made the following statement to the police:

“I am deeply sorry for frightening the victim. I did it about 20 times over the past three years.”

When this magazine’s photographer captured the scene of his transfer on July 10, Nishimiya took a shocking action. As he appeared from the police station, he hunched over as if in fear and turned his face away from the press while boarding the transport vehicle.

Former Kanagawa Prefectural Police detective and crime journalist Taihei Ogawa explains:

“Molestation tends to escalate over time. At first, the perpetrator might grope over clothing, but it progresses to putting hands inside a skirt or even exposing himself. In this case, the suspect allegedly sprayed bodily fluids on a woman, suggesting his desires grew stronger. His statement that he did it about 20 times is consistent with that pattern.

Targeting crowded morning trains is a calculated tactic. There are three main reasons. First, the crowdedness makes it hard for victims to move. Second, victims are reluctant to report the incident out of fear of being late for school or work. Third, morning routines make it easy for perpetrators to repeatedly target the same women at the same time and place. It’s a heinous crime that takes advantage of women’s busy mornings.”

Police suspect Nishimiya may have other offenses and are continuing their investigation to determine if there are more victims.

A premeditated crime targeting crowded morning trains?

Says, “I deeply regret causing fear to the victim”