TOKYO (TR) – At the opening of his trial on Thursday, Tamotsu Shiiki, a former member of the House of Representatives, admitted to sexually assaulting a female junior high school student earlier this year.
“There is no mistake,” Shiiki, 56, told the Tokyo District Court in admitting to allegations of non-consensual intercourse, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 5).
According to the incictment, Shikii sexually assaulted the 12-year-old girl, who was in her first year of junior high school, at a karaoke bar in the Kabukicho red-light district of Shinjuku Ward on the night of August 20.
In its opening statement, the prosecution pointed out that Shiiki entered the area of Kabukicho frequented by “Toyoko Kids,” a name given to delinquents and runaways who gather around the Toho Cinemas complex in the middle of the quarter.
“After confirming the victim’s age, he offered her money in exchange for sex,” the prosecution said, adding that he entered the karaoke bar under a false name.
Shiiki ran for office as a candidate in Chiba’s 13th district for the then Japan Restoration Party in 2012. After his election, he served two terms as a member of the House of Representatives.
Shiiki ran for office two other times in 2017 (Osaka Prefecture) and 2021 (Chiba Prefecture). However, he failed in both attempts.
