It Can’t Be Purged Without Sex — The Vile Exorcism Scam That Turned Into Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault Under the Guise of Exorcism

“During a video call, the man said things like, ‘I can keep hearing voices other than yours. There are too many spirits attached to you—I can’t even see your face.’ Hearing that only made my fear grow stronger.”

The man, who claimed to be a spiritual medium, would use talk of spirits to intensify fear and manipulate his victims.

“On June 19, the Shinjuku Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested Shin’etsu Sato (28), a self-proclaimed medium living in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, on suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse, for allegedly assaulting a woman in her 20s (identified as A) in March this year under the pretense of performing an exorcism. Sato reportedly told the woman, ‘If we don’t perform a body-based purification ritual, the spirit can’t be expelled,’ before committing the act. He has denied the allegations, claiming, ‘I placed salt and chanted sutras to exorcise the spirit, but I never engaged in any sexual acts.’”

“Furthermore, by August 7, Shinjuku Police had rearrested Sato on additional charges of non-consensual sexual intercourse involving another woman. On June 9, in a hotel room in Toshima Ward, Sato allegedly told the woman, ‘I’m the only one who can remove your spirit—it can’t be done without sexual contact,’ before assaulting her. He again denied the accusation, insisting, ‘It was consensual. There’s no such thing as performing an exorcism through sexual activity.’” (National newspaper social affairs reporter)

On September 17, the second hearing of defendant Shin’etsu Sato’s trial was held at the Tokyo District Court. During the session, only the portions of victim A’s police statement that Sato had consented to (apparently excluding the parts related to the sexual assault itself) were read aloud. From this testimony, it became clear how Sato hinted at the presence of spirits and used such claims to manipulate and approach women.

“There’s no doubt—there’s a spirit here.”

Victim A first came into contact with defendant Shin’etsu Sato after receiving an unexpected message on a social media app.

“Around 5 a.m. on March 7, I received a message on my Instagram from someone calling herself ‘Kana’. It said, ‘Are you feeling mentally unwell lately? My family runs a temple, and I’ve been able to see things since I was little. When I saw your post, I noticed something bad, so I’m sending this DM.’ I was curious about what she meant, so I replied right away, asking, ‘What did you see?’

‘Kana’ then responded, ‘A man’s living spirit is attached to you. If you leave it alone, it’ll be dangerous.’ She added, ‘Honestly, it’s a very serious situation—you need to have it exorcised. The spirit is right next to you, so don’t tell anyone about this.’ When I asked what I should do, she told me, ‘Ordinary temples or shrines can’t deal with this. I know someone who can perform the exorcism—he’s the only one who can help.’”

Terrified, A asked “Kana” to introduce this person who could perform the ritual. That person turned out to be Sato.

During a video call, Sato spoke to A in the same unsettling tone as in the earlier example, stoking her fear. He told her, “If you cover my travel expenses to Tokyo, I won’t charge for the purification itself.” After A transferred the transportation fee, Sato came to her home later that same evening.

“When he entered my home, the man (Sato) said, ‘There’s definitely a spirit here. It has to be exorcised.’ He then took out prayer beads from his pouch, held them over my body, and began chanting something like a sutra. (The subsequent section, which Sato did not consent to be read in court, is believed to concern the alleged sexual assault, according to the prosecution.)

Around 9 p.m., he said, ‘It’s too strong—I can’t finish the ritual now. Let’s take a break. I’ll make you some oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl),’ and went to a supermarket to buy ingredients. After we ate, he resumed the so-called purification ritual.

The next morning, when I woke up, he was already awake, walking around the room saying things like, ‘A female spirit has come.’ By then, I was at my limit—I couldn’t take it anymore. I thought I’d lose my mind if it went on any further.” (The following parts were also omitted from court reading, as Sato did not consent—these sections are believed to detail the alleged assault.)

“You should call the police.”

When A began to suspect that “Kana” and defendant Shin’etsu Sato might actually be the same person, she decided to test it. She sent a direct message to Kana’s Instagram account—and at that exact moment, Sato’s phone vibrated. A then explained the situation to a friend via LINE, who advised her, “You should call the police.” Following that advice, A began quietly gathering evidence while Sato was distracted.

“The man had prayer beads, a book containing Buddhist sutras, and a white sash. Inside the sash were what appeared to be his name, date of birth, and the name of a religious organization. I also found his driver’s license and confirmed that the photo matched his face, so I took a picture of it with my phone.”

Sato allegedly finished the so-called exorcism and left A’s home on the morning of March 9. Although Sato continues to deny all charges, A testifies that she was sexually assaulted under the pretense of a purification ritual.

The end of A’s statement expressed deep anger toward Sato:

“I hesitated to speak up because I thought no one would believe such a story—it sounds like something out of a novel. But I couldn’t forgive the perpetrator, so I went to the police to report what had happened.

Since the incident, I’ve been unable to sleep at night and have been prescribed sleeping pills and tranquilizers. I was diagnosed with PTSD at a psychiatric clinic. In daily life, whenever I’m alone with a man, the memories come rushing back and my body freezes up, so I can no longer work in situations where that might happen. I want the perpetrator to receive the harshest possible punishment.”

Despite this, Sato continues to deny the accusations, insisting, “I never engaged in any sexual activity.” Whether he will eventually admit guilt and apologize to the traumatized victim remains to be seen.

The trial proceedings are ongoing.

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