TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 54-year-old unemployed man from Yokohama City on suspicion of sexually assaulting and filming a middle school girl inside a karaoke parlor in Shinjuku Ward, reports NHK (July 22).
Naomichi Moribe is accused of supplying the third-year student, 15, with alcohol and over-the-counter cough medicine before sexually assaulting her in May. He is also accused of recording the assault on his smartphone.
According to police, the two connected after the victim posted about her personal troubles on social media. Moribe reportedly sent her a message offering support, which led to them meeting in person.
“He stayed close and listened to my worries. When I said I wanted medicine, he handed me about six pills, which I swallowed,” the girl told investigators. “He also told me to drink alcohol, even though I refused several times.”
During police questioning, Moribe offered a lukewarm response to the allegations, stating, “If she disliked it, I think I did a pitiful thing.”
The May incident came to light during an investigation into a separate crime. Moribe had been previously arrested for committing indecent acts with a 16-year-old girl—whom he also met via social media—at a karaoke box in February. An analysis of his smartphone following that arrest revealed the assault on the 15-year-old.
Authorities confiscated smartphones and computers belonging to the suspect, discovering approximately 60 videos depicting naked girls. Police believe Moribe has used similar tactics to target multiple other victims and are continuing their investigation.
