TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 28-year-old man from Iwate Prefecture over the alleged sexual assault of a woman living in Shinjuku Ward under the pretext of exorcising a spirit in March, reports NHK (June 24).
According to police, Shinetsu Sato, a self-proclaimed spiritual medium, sent a message to the woman as she live-streamed on social media. “You are possessed by the living spirit of a man and are in a dangerous situation. It is surprising that you are still alive,” he wrote. “You cannot be exorcised at an ordinary temple or shrine.”
He then promised to meet her at her apartment to perform an exorcism.
Upon arrival, he began reading sutras. He then carried out the alleged sexually assault of the woman multiple times despite her refusals. “I can’t exorcise the spirit unless I use my body to perform an exorcism,” he said.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse, Sato denied the charges. “It’s true that I left salt in the house and read sutras, but I never engaged in any sexual acts,” the suspect said.
