OITA (TR) — A 42-year-old Chinese national admitted in court last month to a series of sexual assaults against elderly men in a rural town here, claiming he targeted his victims because of Japanese people’s friendliness.
Appearing at the Oita District Court on April 21, the defendant, a company worker and technical intern, pleaded guilty to charges including non-consensual indecency and non-consensual sexual intercourse. Prosecutors are demanding a six-year prison term for the offenses.
Between November and December of last year, the man preyed on men in their 70s in Bungo-Ono, a quiet mountain city where half the population is over 65.
According to prosecutors, the man would scout his neighborhood in a light truck or on foot. Upon spotting an elderly man alone on the street, he would approach with friendly Japanese phrases like, “You look energetic, how old are you?” before offering his services: “I am good at massages.”
While rubbing the victims’ shoulders, the defendant would gradually move his hands down to their lower bodies. Exploiting their confusion, he would suddenly unzip their trousers and grope them. He told the court he would immediately stop and flee if the victim put up a fight.
“I started with a massage so I wouldn’t frighten them at first,” the defendant testified. “I figured if they didn’t reject me, it was okay.”
Influenced by online pornography
The man, who has a wife and two children in China, arrived in Japan to work at a farm run by his older brother. He told the court he realized he was sexually attracted to elderly men once he reached his 20s and was later influenced by online pornography.
Once in Japan, he felt emboldened by the local hospitality. “When I bowed on the street, Japanese people smiled and bowed back. That’s why I decided to commit the crimes,” he said.
“I attempted it on 14 people,” he added matter-of-factly. “I was able to do what I wanted in peace in Japan. I think I successfully committed indecent acts on about half of them.”
His crime spree unraveled in mid-December after he approached an elderly man while pretending to be out sick from work. The victim, who was groped over his trousers, reported the incident to police, stating, “I wanted to forget about a stranger groping my crotch, but I thought someone else might suffer something worse.”
Five days later, police were interviewing the victim at the scene of the crime when the defendant coincidentally walked by. Officers stopped him for questioning, asking if he had been “massaging” anyone.
“I massaged that person,” the man confessed on the spot, leading to his immediate arrest.
“Despicable and malicious”
During the trial, prosecutors condemned the acts as “habitual, despicable and malicious,” noting that he continued his assaults despite knowing the victims disliked it. They are demanding a six-year sentence to ensure thorough correctional education.
The defense pleaded for leniency, arguing that the man essentially surrendered to police and has shown remorse. The court also heard that his wife in China has refused to divorce him, sending word that she will wait for his return.
Speaking in a quiet, halting voice before the trial concluded, the defendant offered a brief apology. “I am sorry to the victims. If possible, I want them to forgive me.”
The next hearing is scheduled for May 19.
