SAGA (TR) – Saga Prefectural Police have arrested a 23-year-old company employee from Kumamoto Prefecture over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl he met through social media, RKB Mainichi Broadcasting (Nov. 9).
Masatomo Nishihara, a resident of the village Nishihara, is accused of luring a girl — who is between the ages of 13 and 16 — to a convenience store parking lot in Saga Prefecture on the morning of September 22.
According to police, Nishihara contacted the victim via social media, sending messages such as, “Let’s go to a hotel,” and “Let’s meet today if you can.” After picking her up at approximately 7:00 a.m., Nishihara allegedly drove her around for several hours with the intent to commit indecent acts.
He is accused of then taking the girl to a hotel in Saga Prefecture and engaging in sexual intercourse, fully aware that she was a minor and that he was at least five years her senior.
The incident came to light after the girl’s family checked her location via her smartphone. Alarmed to discover she was at a love hotel, the family immediately alerted the police.
Investigators used the victim’s phone history and reviewed security camera footage from the convenience store and surrounding areas to link Nishihara to the crime. Police believe this was the first time the two had met in person.
has been arrested on charges of kidnapping and While Nishihara has admitted to engaging in sexual acts with the minor, he is denying the criminal charges.
“I admit that I did things with the underage girl,” Nishihara reportedly told investigators, “but I do not accept the accusations of kidnapping or non-consensual sexual intercourse.”
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the case.
