Prosecutors Seek Sentence Against Former Japanese Table Tennis Representative Accused of Indecent Conduct

Sentencing hearing on January 21

“The cause of this misunderstanding lies with me, and I am truly sorry. At the same time, I also hope to be forgiven for what I have done.”

Former Japanese national table tennis player Yoshida Kaii (44), who allegedly committed indecent acts against students and a student’s mother at the table tennis school he coached (arrested under the name Konishi), expressed these words of apology to the victims in court.

Yoshida is on trial for non-consensual indecent acts and quasi-forcible indecent acts against three women. The prosecution has requested a five-year prison sentence, while the defense maintains his innocence. The verdict was scheduled to be delivered on January 21.

Before explaining the arguments presented by the prosecution and defense during the closing statements, let’s review the case so far. During Yoshida’s trial, interactions in court were conducted through a Chinese interpreter, and all statements were translated. Also, from the fourth hearing held on October 3 onward, the defendant’s name is listed as Yoshida Kaii, not Konishi.

Yoshida was first arrested in August 2024.

“On August 20, 2024, the Warabi Police Station in Saitama Prefecture arrested Yoshida on suspicion of non-consensual indecent acts. The alleged incident took place at the ‘WEILAI Table Tennis School,’ where he served as coach, on August 7, targeting a student’s mother, Ms. A (in her 40s).

About a month later, on September 30, he was re-arrested on suspicion of quasi-forcible indecent acts against another student’s mother, Ms. B (in her 30s), allegedly committed in early June 2019.

‘WEILAI Table Tennis School’ is run by his wife, An Konishi, who is also a former Japanese national table tennis player. The prosecution indicted Yoshida for non-consensual indecent acts and quasi-forcible indecent acts involving three victims: Ms. A, Ms. B, and Ms. C, a junior high school student who was assaulted in July 2023.” (National newspaper social affairs reporter)

Details of the Crime and the Defendant’s Account

The crimes were allegedly committed while the defendant, Yoshida, was giving massages or teaching stretching techniques. The prosecution claims that Yoshida engaged in the suspicious behavior while teaching parents how to massage their children at home.

For example, Victim A testified: “The massage started without any warning. I was told to get on all fours, being asked, ‘Can you do this pose?’ and then he persistently pressed his lower body against me.”

On the other hand, Yoshida claims: “Since Victim A’s posture was off, I touched her body to teach her the correct form. Because we were close, it’s possible my lower body made contact,” maintaining that he was merely trying to teach stretching and had no indecent intent.

Victim B similarly testified: “In the luggage storage area, while I was in a hands-and-knees position, he pressed his lower body against me.” She further stated that he said something implying sexual intercourse, asking, “Can I put it in?” to which she protested, “This is strange, isn’t it?”

In response, Yoshida argued: “I was just giving a massage and teaching stretching; it’s possible my lower body made contact during that process.” He claimed he thought about straddling Victim B to fix her posture and asked, “Can I get on [you]?” He testified that as he approached to straddle her, she turned around and said, “This is strange, isn’t it?”

“At the time, I wondered what she meant by strange, but I don’t remember how I answered her,” he reflected.

Victim C testified: “During the massage, he touched my buttocks directly and licked my ear. Then, he told me to close your eyes, so I shook my head side to side, thinking he was going to kiss me.”

Yoshida denied this, stating: “During the massage, it’s possible my hand accidentally brushed against (Victim C’s) underwear, but I did not touch her directly.” While he admitted he approached her face because “she was quiet and I thought she had fallen asleep during the massage,” he denied licking her ear. He claimed, “It looked like something was on her head, so I told her to ‘close your eyes’ because I wanted to take it off.”

Victim C filed a police report at the time, and Yoshida’s case was referred to prosecutors. During that investigation, he falsely stated that he “did not give Victim C a massage,” explaining his reasoning as follows:

“I was afraid that if I said I gave her a massage, people would think I actually committed an indecent act.”

Following the incident with Victim C, Yoshida was reportedly prohibited by his wife from instructing girls.

“I believe in my innocence”

Even if it was for the purpose of teaching massage or stretching techniques, regarding the fact that he touched their bodies without permission, the defendant Yoshida reflected, “I had lived in Europe for a long time, so I had become careless.” He offered words of remorse, stating, “In the future, I will make sure to obtain the person’s consent before touching them.”

During the closing arguments held on December 9, the prosecution sought a five-year prison sentence, stating: “The defendant took advantage of the psychological state of the victims—who trusted him as a table tennis instructor and were unable to easily resist—to commit indecent acts. These were bold, despicable, and cunning crimes.”

On the other hand, the defense argued for innocence, asserting: “The three women misunderstood that they were being subjected to indecent acts based on the preconceived notion that Kai-san had sexual intent.” They further noted, “In a case where the defendant denies the charges, the fact that we must judge whether contact was intentional based solely on the sensations of the three women makes this different from other sex crimes,” and argued that “the prosecution has failed to provide proof of the facts described in the public indictment.”

In his final statement, Yoshida said: “I believe in my innocence. I ask the judges to investigate further and more carefully, and I pray for a favorable outcome.”

Whether or not Yoshida had sexual intent remains the core issue. After hearing the testimonies of the three victims who spoke out during the trial, what judgment will the justice system deliver?