TOKYO (TR) – A court here has handed a suspended prison term to a former inspector with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for leaking investigative information to sex scouting group Natural, which is Japan’s largest, reports Jiji Press (Mar. 25).
At the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, presiding judge Ryo Terao handed Daisuke Jimbo, 43, formerly with the Organized Crime Countermeasures Division, a prison term of 18 months, suspended for three years. The prosecution had sought an 18-month term.
Jinbo, who was accused of violating the Local Public Service Act, sent images from cameras installed for investigative purposes and lists of filming locations to individuals associated with Natural between April and July 2025.
In handing down the ruling, judge Terao pointed out that the leakage of highly confidential investigative information “significantly undermines public trust in the fairness of police officers’ duties.”
Judge Terao added that Natural is a large-scale and illegal scouting organization, the magnitude of its social impact cannot be overlooked. “He cannot escape severe condemnation,” the judge said.
Contact members
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 25), Jimbo joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Police in 2004. Around October 2023, he began investigating Natural. While handling interrogations of those involved, he also reportedly made contact with the organization’s top leader, Hiroaki Obata, who was arrested earlier this year.
Around February 2024, he obtained a communication app developed by Natural and used only by its members. He used this highly anonymous app, which allowed for remote deletion of saved data, to contact members.
During the trial, Jinbo admitted to the charges. “It is true that I leaked information. I will not dispute it at all,” he said. He also stated, “I was desperate and crossed the line due to dissatisfaction with the work environment, including harassment from my superiors.”
However, he stated that he “cannot discuss specific details about the perpetrators because of the possibility of retaliation.” He added that he “did not receive any monetary or other compensation.”
In explaining his motive, he stated, “I wanted to get close to them, gain their trust, and obtain information.” He emphasized his investigative achievements, stating that information obtained through the app sometimes led to arrests.
In April 2025, Jinbo was removed from investigating Natural after it was learned he was engaged in an extramarital affair. The alleged leak of the locations and images from the surveillance cameras via the app occurred between that month and July. The cameras were installed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police to monitor the actions of the Natural group, and if their locations were revealed, they could move their base of operations, making arrests more difficult.
“Like a spy”
In its closing argument, the prosecution stated that “while engaged in the investigation of Natural, he became involved and essentially acted like a spy.” It went to say that “this severely undermines public trust in the police.”
In response, the defense requested a suspended term, arguing that “he had been dismissed from his position as a police officer and had lost his status, thus facing social sanctions.”
