Fake photographer’s verdict reveals unrepentant behavior after indecent acts against a minor

The judgment delivered to the fake indecent cameraman

“I want to take pictures of cute clothes and cute socks, so I approach people. I’m particular about poses; I always take shots of looking back and sitting poses.”

A man who approached and photographed a junior high school student, A (13 at the time), and committed obscene acts, was sentenced for the crime of indecent assault without consent.

On November 6th, at the sentencing trial held at the Tokyo District Court, Judge Takashi Ishikawa sentenced the defendant, Hiroshi Yamada (55 at the time of arrest), to two years in prison (with a prosecution demand of two years and six months).

Considering his behavior during previous trials, the guilty verdict seems appropriate. Let’s reflect on the incident through the exchanges in the trial.

The incident occurred in mid-August ’24. Defendant Yamada said he frequently wandered around anime shops in Ikebukuro and Otome Road, approaching girls who caught his eye, asking, “May I take your picture?” because there are many girls I like. Reflecting on the day he approached Ms. A, Defendant Yamada recalled as follows:

“(Ms. A’s) appearance was fashionable, so I thought I wanted to take a picture and said, ‘Your clothes are cute. Could you please let me take a photo?’ I think I explained myself as someone who takes pictures of clothes and socks.

At first, (Ms. A) was reluctant, saying she didn’t have time, but as I talked about things like I won’t take your face or just from the neck down, she finally agreed, saying it’s fine if it’s just for a short time.”

As in the beginning, Defendant Yamada spoke with an insistence that was very much like a photographer.

However, Mr. A had no way of knowing, but at this time, the defendant Yamada was on probation for an obscene act against a minor. The defendant Yamada was arrested by the Saitama Prefectural Police in July 2023 on suspicion of forcible indecency, and on October 19 of that year, received a sentence of one year and two months in prison with a four-year probation under protective supervision for violating the nuisance prevention ordinance.

Reflecting on the previous arrest, Yamada had the victim sign a consent form

Reflecting on the previous arrest, Yamada had the victim sign a consent form.

The defendant, Yamada, took the victim to three parks under the pretense of filming. At the second park, he showed his phone to the victim and requested a signature on the consent form, which allegedly included the following statements:

〈A fully understands what B says and vows the following.
I permit you to touch me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
I permit you to photograph every inch of me.
I will never tell anyone about this.〉

Yamada reportedly stated that he created this consent form as a reflection on his previous arrest, saying, “I’ve touched the body while adjusting poses, and was warned by the police two years ago, so I decided to obtain permission through a signature.”

On the other hand, the victim testified about the consent form, saying, “I thought this was seriously wrong and decided to tell my parents as soon as I got home, so I signed with a fake name.” The victim’s instinct was correct. Immediately after, Yamada put his hands inside the victim’s clothing, engaging in indecent acts by touching the lower body, and was subsequently arrested by the Ikebukuro Station of the Metropolitan Police Department on November 5th, approximately three months later.

“I want to reduce sexual violence and sexual harm”

Immediately after his arrest, Yamada admitted to the charges, but later partially denied them, saying, “I touched A’s legs and body, but I didn’t touch her lower body.” His reason was astonishing: Because he had also approached other girls around the same time and touched them, he claimed he could no longer remember which girl he touched and where.

Furthermore, when his lawyer asked why he had a standard based on people with beautiful legs, he answered in an affected, tiny voice: “Because I have a leg fetish.” He even behaved playfully during court, smiling and making light remarks. Nothing about his demeanor suggested he understood the impact of his actions on A, nor did he seem genuinely remorseful.

He also described himself as having a sexual preference disorder, saying that after receiving treatment from a specialist and returning to society, he wanted to work at an NPO to help reduce future offenders and victims. “I want to use my own experience to write things like which types of girls are more likely to be targeted,” he said. But it is hard to believe how sincere he was—and even if he meant it, his perspective completely ignores the feelings of the victim.

A testified about the moment she told her parents what had happened:

“When I told my mother, I cried so much, almost hyperventilating, but I told her everything. I felt safe once I had finally told someone everything, and I just cried.”

When discussing the sex-offender relapse prevention program he attended at the probation office, Yamada said:

“I didn’t quite understand the content. Thinking from the victim’s perspective was extremely difficult.”

If he does not appeal, his suspended sentence will be revoked and he will serve about three years in prison. But if he still says thinking about the victim’s feelings is extremely difficult, then instead of reducing future offenders, he is highly likely to become one again himself.

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