Cram School Teacher Accused of Sexual Misconduct Against Two Students

Indecent acts conducted under individual tutoring

“The contact with the chest started accidentally when I touched it with the back of my hand or arm. That feeling lingered, and before long, I began to want to touch it with my palm.”

The 45-year-old man, who was arrested for committing an indecent act with a student at the cram school where he worked, described the moment his motivation switch was turned on during the trial.

“On September 14, 2025, a joint investigation headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Development Division and the Nogata Police Station arrested Shinichi Ishida (45), a former classroom chief of the individualized learning school ‘School IE’ operated by YARUKI Switch Group Co., Ltd., on suspicion of indecent assault without consent. Ishida is suspected of touching the chest and thighs of his student, a junior high school girl, A (then 15 years old).

On October 2, Ishida was re-arrested on suspicion of further indecent acts without consent for embracing another student, junior high school girl B (then 13 years old), inside the cram school building. There have been past incidents where Ishida touched students, resulting in complaints from parents. After the incident, he was dismissed from the cram school for disciplinary reasons,” said a national newspaper social affairs reporter.

Subsequently, the prosecutor charged the defendant Ishida with indecent assault against Person A and assault against Person B.

On November 28, the first trial was held at the Tokyo District Court.

The cram school where Ishida worked provided individual tutoring with teachers sitting next to students, with partitions between seats creating an environment that was difficult to see from the surroundings. Both Person A and Person B had been taking lessons from the defendant Ishida since their elementary school days, and not only the victims themselves but also their families trusted him.

However, the indictment and opening statements read by the prosecutor revealed the defendant Ishida’s heinous crime of turning the students’ affection for him to his advantage.

Continued to touch as if nothing had happened

“The defendant continued to be in charge of giving individual guidance to Ms. A. While sitting next to Ms. A, he repeatedly placed his hand on her thigh. He also touched Ms. A’s chest over her clothing.

During a class in March of this year, the defendant put his hand inside Ms. A’s clothes and touched her chest over her underwear. Even when Ms. A moved away, the defendant did not remove his hand from her chest and spoke as if nothing had happened. Ms. A was unable to speak up, contemplating what would happen if she told him to stop and he acted as if nothing was wrong.” (The crime against Ms. A)

“From the time Ms. B started junior high school, whenever the defendant sat next to her, he began touching her thigh. He has touched her approximately 10 times leading up to this incident.”

In January of this year, the defendant called Ms. B to the cram school building, saying, “I want to give you a birthday present.” When Ms. B received the manga book as a birthday present and tried to leave, the defendant suddenly wrapped his arms around the front of Ms. B and hugged her, saying, “Is it okay to stay like this a little longer?” Ms. B felt uncomfortable but was so taken aback by the suddenness that she couldn’t refuse. (The offense against Ms. B)

Ishida, the defendant, admits to these charges pointed out by the prosecution. However, during the investigation stage, he stated, “Hugging Ms. B was not for sexual purposes; my emotions were heightened and I wanted to hug her out of affection.” As a result, he was indicted not on charges of indecent assault without consent but for assault.

During the defendant’s questioning, Ishida reflected on his feelings when he first committed an indecent act toward Ms. A.

Crossed the boundary between teacher and student

“It is true that I misunderstood that, as I had many conversations with A and she came to consult with me, our emotional distance had shortened. I also naturally had a habit of physical contact, and that contact went too far. I selfishly interpreted it as being permissible up to a certain point, which is also true,” said Ishida.

He explained that, as mentioned earlier, during lessons his arms or hands occasionally accidentally touched A’s chest. Because A did not react, his desire grew.

“I began to want to touch her with my palm, and during our conversations, I took advantage of the situation to commit the acts five to six times. That is what led to this point,” he said.

He also testified that he had a close relationship with B, even outside tutoring sessions, helping her with schoolwork and giving guidance. Regarding hugging B, he said:

“My relationship with B should never have existed, but I crossed the boundary between teacher and student. It was more like a friendship. That day, because her birthday was approaching, I hugged her as a way to celebrate and say congratulations.”

He claimed he realized his mistake and let go when he heard B say she wanted to go home.

When the prosecutor asked, “What do you mean by having such a mental closeness that allows you to touch another person’s child?” Ishida replied:

“I selfishly and arbitrarily interpreted it that way. I am truly sorry.”

When the prosecutor further asked, “I don’t understand what interpretation makes it permissible to touch a child, so please explain,” Ishida remained silent and said, “Please give me a moment.” He did not speak further, so the prosecutor moved on, saying, “If you feel like talking later, please do so.”

A had stopped attending school

During the investigation, Ishida stated, “I started touching A’s body around February of this year,” but A claimed that it had been happening for about a year (around November 2024). The prosecutor asked, “Is what A is saying correct, or is it wrong?” Ishida repeatedly gave vague answers, saying, “I don’t clearly remember at the time, but what A is saying might be correct.”

Regarding his description of B as someone close to a friend, the following exchange occurred:

Prosecutor: How old are you now, Ishida?
Ishida: I’m 45.
Prosecutor: Can there really be a friendship that crosses the boundary between teacher and student with a child in your care?
Ishida: I don’t think so now, but at the time I misunderstood and thought it was such a relationship.

Throughout the questioning, Ishida repeatedly said, “I am sorry,” but he did not send an apology letter to the victims, stating that “I felt it inappropriate to send a letter directly to the victims” and “I did not think to have my lawyer send it.”

At the end of the defendant’s questioning, the defense attorney touched on the fact that A had stopped attending school and asked, “Do you think the cause is solely your crime?” Ishida replied:

“She was a child who often worried about her studies and future path, and I regret that I did not properly understand those sensitive aspects.”

The prosecutor read aloud A’s statement, which ended with this sentence:

“I feel like I had been brainwashed by my teacher until now. I feel disgusted and betrayed by a teacher I trusted, and I cannot forgive it. I want the teacher to receive a severe punishment.”

How did Ishida feel listening to A’s words, where she still referred to him as teacher?

The trial is scheduled to conclude at the next session.

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