TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested three men, including a medical doctor and a company executive, for allegedly plying a teenage girl with alcohol and sexually assaulting her following a gathering billed as an “elite” networking event, reports the Mainichi Shimbun (July 23).
The suspects were identified as Hideki Kawai, a 31-year-old doctor from Nagoya, Yuichi Furukawa, a 30-year-old company executive from Shibuya Ward, and Shota Ayabe, 30, of unknown occupation. All three are facing charges of non-consensual sexual intercourse.
During police questioning, the suspects offered varying responses to the allegations. Furukawa completely denied the charges, stating, “It did not happen.” Kawai partially denied the allegations by claiming the acts were consensual, while Ayabe told investigators he would only respond through his lawyer.
According to the Takinogawa Police Station, the incident occurred in the early hours of April 19 inside a room at an accommodation facility in Bunkyo Ward. During the event, the suspects gave the girl highballs and shots of liqueur to drink. The men are accused of taking advantage of the teenage victim while she was highly intoxicated.
The assault took place after a mixer that had been promoted as an “elite gathering for doctors and business executives,” which began at the facility around 9:00 p.m. the previous evening. A total of five men and five women, including the three suspects and the victim, were in attendance.
The crime came to light when the victim consulted with police later that same day.
