TOKYO (TR) – The Tokyo District Court has handed a 1-year, 8-month prison term to an All Nippon Airways (ANA) captain for sexually assaulting a subordinate flight attendant.
In handing down the ruling on Tuesday, the court dismissed the claims of defendant Ryota Mise that the acts were consensual, reports Nippon News Network (July 14).
Mise was convicted of non-consensual indecency for groping the female colleague’s lower body over her clothes on a street in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, in October 2023.
Throughout the trial, Mise pleaded not guilty, maintaining that he had obtained the woman’s consent.
However, in handing down the unsuspended sentence, the court outright rejected his defense, highlighting the stark power dynamic between the two.
The presiding judge noted that as a captain with supervisory authority, Mise was in a position to exert significant influence over a flight attendant who is expected to follow his orders.
Condemning the pilot’s actions, the court stated, “The defendant took advantage of the victim’s fear and shock, abusing his position as captain. His selfish motive of satisfying his own sexual desires is worthy of strong condemnation.”
