Re-arrested Doctor Faces New Allegations Over Clinic Detention of Young Patient

In the blank period

“We did rely on him. If you asked, he would prescribe as much medication as you wanted. But to think he had caused so many problems.”

A bartender at a bar the reporter frequents sighed while speaking. The had caused so many problems refers to Izawa Jun (55), the director of the psychiatric clinic “Tokyo Clinic” in Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo.

As mentioned, the clinic was well known in Kabukicho as a place that would prescribe medication according to patients’ requests. However, an incident came to light. On April 1, the Shinjuku Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest of Izawa on suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse. This marks the seventh arrest for Izawa. In March 2022, he was arrested on charges including violation of the Narcotics Control Act and assaulting a woman, and in the following year he was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months in prison.

“After being released, he reopened the clinic in May last year. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare appears to be considering revoking his medical license, but such procedures take time. During this blank period before disciplinary action is finalized, Izawa once again caused trouble,” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs desk.

The method used in this latest case is described as particularly malicious.

“The incident occurred in August last year. The victim was a woman in her 20s, Patient A. After running out of her prescribed medication, she searched online and visited Izawa’s clinic for the first time because her regular hospital was closed.

After examining her, Izawa issued a prescription and accompanied her to the pharmacy. Once she received the medication, he told her, ‘There is still another part of the examination,’ and brought her back to the clinic. No other staff were present, and once they were alone together, he locked the entrance door, effectively confining her, and is alleged to have committed indecent acts,” the source added.

Viewed the clinic as a place to commit the crime

The victim, Ms. A, consulted her boyfriend the same day. The boyfriend searched online, learned of Izawa suspect’s previous arrests, and reported the incident to the Shinjuku Police Station. During police questioning, Izawa remained silent. Ms. A is said to have stated, “Since the incident, I can no longer trust people. My everyday life was taken away.”

Taehei Ogawa, a former Kanagawa Prefectural Police detective and crime journalist, provided commentary:

“It is true that crimes committed in a closed setting like a clinic are difficult to prove due to limited evidence. Without the victim’s complaint, it may never have come to light. The suspect likely took advantage of these investigative difficulties and deliberately chose moments when he could be alone with the victim.

Given that he resumed operations shortly after serving his prison sentence, it is believed that the suspect may have viewed the clinic itself as a place to commit offenses. In a medical setting, it can be difficult to distinguish whether touching a female patient is part of legitimate treatment or inappropriate conduct. If the allegations are true, this would be a highly malicious crime abusing both position and location.”

Police are continuing their investigation, believing there may be additional offenses involving Izawa suspect.