TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 25-year-old man employed by public broadcaster NHK to collect licensing fees for forcibly kissing a woman at an apartment in Chofu City, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Mar. 30).
On November 14 at 8:45 p.m., Takahiro Yoshida, a resident of Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, is alleged to have lightly struck the woman, aged in her 30s, on the head during a visit to the residence concerning the license contract. He then put both of his hands around her lower back and kissed her.
Yoshida, who has been charged with indecent assault, admits to the allegations. “In talking [with her], I thought we were getting along well, so I kissed her,” the suspect is quoted by police.
The matter came to light when the victim’s mother reported the actions of the fee collector, who took the position the previous April, to police the following day.
A representative of NHK described the incident as “regrettable.” “After confirming the facts, we will deal with the matter strictly.”