KANAGAWA (TR) – Prosecutors have announced the non-prosecution of a Maritime Self-Defense Force staffer accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Yokosuka City last month, reports TBS News (April 7).
At around 2:10 a.m. on March 18, Mitsutaka Hironaka, a 22-year-old crew member aboard the Takanami escort vessel, allegedly came up from behind the woman on a road, dragged her down and began choking her.
The woman suffered minor injuries, including to her lips, the Taura Police Station said.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of indecent assault resulting in injury, Hironaka denied the allegations. “I don’t remember because I drank alcohol [beforehand] beyond my limits and do not recall [the matter],” the suspect was quoted by police.
On Friday, the Yokohama branch of the Kanagawa District Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the non-prosecution of Hironaka. No reason for the non-prosecution was given.
Prior to the incident, Hironaka hid behind a pillar of a commercial building near Oppama Station on the Keikyu Line. After approaching the victim from behind, he put his arm around her neck. After she screamed, three male passers-by rushed to the scene.
