KANAGAWA (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police here have arrested a 52-year-old former middle school teacher in Odawara City for allegedly sending nearly 200 inappropriate emails to a female student demanding updates on her menstrual cycle, reports NHK (June 25).
Mamoru Yamaguchi, currently unemployed, is facing charges of violating the Child Welfare Act.
According to police, over a period of about a year and a half ending in July 2023, Yamaguchi sent 192 emails of a sexual nature to a girl who belonged to a school club he supervised. Investigators revealed that the former teacher repeatedly demanded the student provide him with reports regarding her menstruation.
Upon his arrest, Yamaguchi denied the allegations, offering a justification to investigators. “I thought it was a legitimate administrative act,” he was quoted as saying.
The behavior came to light earlier this year after the girl’s mother consulted with local authorities.
The Odawara City Board of Education issued a swift apology following the arrest.
“This is highly regrettable,” the board said in a statement. “We will provide guidance to ensure that our staff take actions in accordance with their self-awareness and ethical standards as educational public servants.”
