Twisted Crimes of a 50 Year Old Man Targeting a Junior High Girl at a Library

Indecent act against a female junior high school student while she was studying.

“I want to help my son with his studies, so may I watch you study?”

A 50-year-old man who committed an indecent act against a middle school girl studying at a library reportedly sat down next to her after saying this.

“The Fukagawa Police Station of the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Masanori Yamacho (50), a company employee, on suspicion of non-consensual indecent acts by December 11, 2025. Yamacho is suspected of committing indecent acts, including touching the body of a female junior high school student, Ms. A (15 at the time), who was studying at a library in Koto Ward, Tokyo. The incident came to light after Ms. A’s mother consulted the police.

Although Yamacho denied the charges, it has been confirmed that multiple girls were subjected to indecent acts at another library in Koto Ward, leading to suspicions of additional offenses.” (Social Affairs Reporter, National Newspaper)

On March 2, the first hearing for defendant Yamacho, who is charged with non-consensual indecent assault, was held at the Tokyo District Court and concluded the same day.

The indictment read by the prosecutor and the opening statement revealed the despicable nature of defendant Yamacho’s crime, which exploited the girl’s trust.

“Around noon in late November 2025, the defendant went to a library in Koto Ward and approached Ms. A, who was studying in the children’s reading room, saying, ‘I want to help my sixth-grade son with his studies, so I won’t disturb you—is it okay if I watch?’ When Ms. A agreed, the defendant stood near her and watched her study. Eventually, he began thinking about touching Ms. A’s chest. He sat down next to her, slipped his hand under her clothes, and touched her chest for about 30 minutes before leaving the premises.”

It appears that for about a year prior to the incident, the defendant, Yamacho, had been frequenting a library in Koto Ward, where he would approach high school and junior high school girls, watch them study from nearby, and repeatedly engage in masturbation.

Feeling comfortable being next to her

He stated that the reason he went to the library was, “I was playing ‘Dragon Quest Walk,’ so I went there to charge my phone,” claiming that he did not go with lewd intentions. While killing time in the library while waiting for his phone to charge, he saw students studying and thought, “I wonder how everyone studies,” which prompted him to speak to them.

Was Yamacho usually attentive to children’s education? During questioning, his ex-wife, who divorced him after his arrest, testified:

“I spent more than ten years with the defendant, but he never showed interest in taking care of the children or actively engaged with them. He never thought about the children’s schooling, and only looked over their homework once or twice.”

When the defense attorney asked about this statement, “Your ex-wife says it’s a lie that you wanted to teach the children, right?” Yamacho replied, “When I went with my child to buy reference books, I did think about how they could use them to study.” He maintained that he sat near the female student solely to teach the child to study.

And as he repeatedly observed them studying, he said, “While watching them study, I began to feel comfortable being next to them” (Yamacho).

Regarding the act toward A-san, he claimed it was a momentary lapse.

“While watching her study nearby, by chance my arm touched her chest, and I thought, ‘I can do this.’ Feelings I had never experienced before arose, and in a state different from usual, almost like a lapse, I acted.”

About 30 minutes later, Yamacho regained his senses, apologized with statements such as, “You must hate this, I’m really sorry,” and left the scene.

What corresponds to the responsibility for what was done

Meanwhile, A-san told investigators, “The perpetrator put his hand inside my clothes, and my mind went blank. Even though I wanted to resist, I didn’t know how to start, and I ended up being subjected to the assault.” After the incident, she sought help from her mother.

Naturally, her feelings toward punishing Yamacho were strong, and she has not agreed to any settlement so far.

On this day, closing arguments were presented.

The prosecution argued that, since the crime took place in the children’s reading room, which adults rarely use, it was a heinous act exploiting the characteristics of the library and stated, “This was a selfish and reckless act to satisfy his own sexual desires, and there is no room for leniency,” requesting a prison sentence of 2 years and 6 months.

On the other hand, the defense argued that supervision by relatives can be expected in the future and that he recognizes that his behavior, such as approaching strangers in the library for enjoyment, is not normal, and he has decided not to enter the library again, requesting a suspended sentence.

During the trial, when the defense asked, “What precautions will you take in the future?” Yamacho responded with words of reflection: “To make sure I never repeat the same thing, I will not speak to anyone even if something catches my attention. That way, I think I won’t be suspected.”

Judge Tomohiko Shinomiya said, “You say you will never do this again, but you understand that you have to take responsibility commensurate with what you did, right?” to which Yamacho answered, “Yes.”

Until the end, Yamacho continued to claim that he spoke to A-san not for sexual purposes, but what kind of responsibility will he ultimately have to bear?

The verdict is scheduled to be delivered on the 12th.

“FRIDAY Digital” welcomes information and tips from readers. Please submit via the information submission form below or to the official X account.

Information form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official X: https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit