TOKYO (TR) – Public broadcaster NHK announced on Thursday that a 50-year-old male chief director will face disciplinary dismissal following his arrest for non-consensual sexual intercourse, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Apr. 23).
The director, who belonged to the news department’s sports information program division, was taken into custody by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police in March after sexually assaulting a woman on the street. He was later not indicted by prosecutors.
According to NHK, the incident took place in January. After logging his remote work start time from his residence, the director began walking toward the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya Ward. While en route, he approached a woman he did not know and committed indecent acts, which quickly developed into a police matter.
During questioning, the director admitted to the physical acts but maintained that they were consensual. Upon being informed of his pending dismissal, he reportedly said, “I am sorry.”
Further fueling the scandal, an internal investigation by the broadcaster uncovered numerous other instances of inappropriate personal conduct committed by the director during his working hours.
The punitive measure, officially an advisory dismissal (yushi menshoku), will take effect on April 30.
