“I’ll Give You a Massage”: The “Line” a High School Teacher Misjudged That Led to His Arrest on Suspicion of Indecent Acts Against a Graduate on School Grounds

“I never would have thought a teacher I trusted would…”

On the morning of August 21, just before 9:00 a.m., Takuma Yamada (31) appeared at the Kodaira Police Station of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department at the head of the group of suspects to be referred to prosecutors that day.He stared intently at the cameras, as if watching the scene from behind a wall. However, that lasted only a moment; after that, he kept his head down as he boarded the police van. What was he thinking about the allegations that he had harmed his former student?

On August 19, the Kodaira Police Station arrested Yamada, a teacher at Tokyo Metropolitan Kodaira Minami High School, on charges of non-consensual indecent assault against a female former student in her teens.

“The incident occurred around 5:00–7:00 p.m. on March 29. The woman had just graduated from the school that spring and reportedly visited the faculty room to say hello to a teacher she knew well. Suspect Yamada had taught her English while she was a student there, so they were acquainted.

Suspect Yamada reportedly lured her into the English preparation room by saying he wanted to discuss her future plans, using phrases such as, “I’ll give you some advice,” and “Outsiders aren’t allowed in the faculty room.”Once they were alone in the classroom, Yamada allegedly said things like, “Your posture is bad. Let me give you a massage,” and touched the woman’s upper body. Yamada denies the charges, stating, “I did touch her body, but I intended it as a massage; I had no lewd intent.” (Social Affairs Reporter, National Newspaper)

Although the incident occurred in March, it wasn’t until mid-June that the woman confided in her parents and filed a police report. She explained that this was because “I never imagined a teacher I trusted would do such a thing, so I had a hard time bringing it up with my parents.”

The Relationship Between Graduated Students and Teachers

The Act on the Prevention of Sexual Violence by Teachers went into effect in April 2022. To prevent sexual violence by teachers against children and students, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education is promoting the “Three No’s Campaign Plus,” which adds the principle that “romantic relationships between students and faculty members are not permitted” to the existing guidelines of “Do not touch, do not send messages, and do not be alone together.”

Under the Act on the Prevention of Sexual Violence by Teachers, the term “children and students, etc.” includes not only those currently enrolled in school but also individuals under the age of 18 who are not enrolled in school, who are thus also protected under the law.The reported situations of “physical contact” and “being alone with a student in the classroom” overlap with the two scenarios— “Do not touch” and “Do not be alone with a student”—that the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education requires teachers to avoid in their interactions with enrolled students under the “Three No’s Campaign Plus.”

The incident occurred on March 29.In some cases, even after graduation, students are treated as enrolled students at that high school until March 31. Although the victim appears to have visited her alma mater as a graduate, the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education responded regarding her status at the time of the incident : “We cannot say anything definitive because we do not have a clear understanding of the facts, but in general terms, it is possible that she would be considered an ‘enrolled student.’”

An education official stated, “Even if one’s institutional status changes, that does not mean the prior teacher-student relationship ceases to exist.”

“The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education’s conduct guidelines state that teachers and students are in a ‘teacher-student’ relationship, and they require teachers to interact with students while understanding that students may find it difficult to refuse invitations from teachers.Between teachers and students, there is not only an age difference but also a difference in status—one of instructor and learner. Students may trust and respect their teachers as ‘sensei,’ and there is also a psychological tendency to find it difficult to defy what a teacher says.

Furthermore, just because a student has graduated does not necessarily mean that this dynamic disappears immediately. This psychological hierarchy between teacher and former student does not vanish overnight. Even for graduates aged 18 or older, shouldn’t we consider requiring teachers to maintain a level of distance comparable to that with current students, at least for a certain period after graduation?”

Behaviors that students were told to avoid while still in school—such as being “alone with a teacher in a classroom”—do not cease to be problematic simply because they have graduated. Teachers must never forget that they remain teachers.

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

Tip Submission Form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official X: https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit