Former Jang Porcket Star Shinji Saito Faces 7-Year Sentence—But There’s Another Lawsuit Behind the Criminal Trial

Seeking criminal punishment rather than a settlement

Former “Jungle Pocket” member Shinji Saito (43) was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse and non-consensual indecent assault over allegations of sexual assault that occurred inside a location bus in July 2024. At a hearing held at the Tokyo District Court on August 5, prosecutors sought a seven-year prison sentence.

It was also revealed that the alleged victim had rejected a proposed settlement payment of ¥25 million, stating:

“I want criminal punishment, not a settlement.”

Since the location-bus incident in July 2024 that triggered the case, the circumstances surrounding Saito have changed dramatically. Following his referral to prosecutors by the Metropolitan Police Department, Yoshimoto Kogyo terminated its management contract with him that same day. He was also forced to leave the comedy trio “Jungle Pocket.”

“At the trial, which began in March this year, Saito’s side has pleaded not guilty, arguing that he believed there had been consent, while the alleged victim testified and expressed strong feelings that he should be punished. If he is found guilty as prosecutors have demanded, there is also a strong possibility that he could receive an actual prison sentence without a suspended sentence,” said a sports newspaper reporter.

The verdict is scheduled to be handed down on November 16, but the legal battle Saito is facing does not end with this criminal trial. It has emerged that, behind the scenes, he has also filed another lawsuit in which he himself is the plaintiff.

Civil lawsuit filed at the end of July this year

The other source of trouble facing Saito involves a financial dispute over the sale of baumkuchen, a business in which he was involved.

“FRIDAY” previously reported allegations that Saito’s side had absconded with approximately ¥1.6 million in proceeds from a sales event held in Fukuoka in October 2025, allegedly by failing to transfer the money to Company A, which was his business partner at the time. At the time, Saito’s side countered:

“It is true that the money was not transferred, but in the first place, payment of our compensation from Company A had been delayed.”

The two sides’ claims were in direct conflict.

Now, a new development has come to light. According to Saito’s attorney:

“Because the company [Company A] has made factually baseless claims suggesting that Mr. Saito committed embezzlement and has refused to pay the compensation stipulated under the contract, this matter has yet to be resolved. In response, Mr. Saito filed a civil lawsuit against Company A with the Tokyo District Court at the end of July 2026.”

In other words, Saito’s side, having been accused of absconding with the money, has itself become the plaintiff and taken the dispute to civil court.

Facing a criminal trial in which prosecutors have sought a seven-year prison sentence over allegations of sexual misconduct, with the possibility of an actual prison term, as well as a civil lawsuit he has initiated over unpaid business compensation, Saito, once a popular television personality, now finds himself caught up in a “double trial” that could fundamentally alter his life――.

[YouTube] On “FRIDAY TV’s” “Entertainment Reporters Channel,” active entertainment reporters provide an in-depth explanation under the title “Former Jungle Pocket Defendant Saito: ‘Seven-Year Sentence Sought’—The Truth Behind the Big Party One Week Later.” The program covers the shocking series of actions Saito allegedly took in Yamagata Prefecture, which “FRIDAY” was uniquely positioned to learn about, as well as the backgrounds of the people who gathered there, along with details from behind the reporting.