FUKUOKA (TR) – Fukuoka Prefectural Police have arrested a 27-year-old apparel industry worker from Kurume City following an assault on an elementary school-aged girl earlier this year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Nov. 4).
According to the Yame Police Station, the suspect made contact with the girl, 11, via social media on August 25. He sent her messages — including “let’s hang out” — before arranging to meet her on a road in the southern part of the prefecture at around 5:50 p.m.
Knowing she was a minor, he then transported her in a light passenger vehicle to a karaoke establishment, where the assault took place, police said.
The suspect has partially denied allegations of kidnapping a minor and non-consensual sexual intercourse, claiming he believed the girl was 19 years old, according to police.
The case came to light the same evening when the girl’s mother walked into the station and filed a missing persons report. Officers were subsequently able to reach the girl and took her into protective custody, police said.
