TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a male director at public broadcaster NHK over the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Shibuya Ward, reports, the Asahi Shimbun (Mar. 6).
According to police, Kensuke Nakamoto, 50, is the chief director of the Sports Information Program Department of the NHK News Bureau’s Sports Center.
At around 2:15 p.m. on January 4, Nakamoto is suspected of luring the woman, aged in her 20s, from a street and into a nearby building. He is then alleged to have sexually assaulted her on the landing of a staircase.
During questioning on suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse, Nakamoto partially denied the charges. He said, “I did not force or coerce [her] into doing it.”
Nakamoto, who lives in Meguro Ward, was not acquainted with the victim before the incident, police said.
According to police, Nakamoto threatened the victim prior to the sexual assault. He said, “I have something dangerous.” After the incident, he fled on a bicycle.
An examination of security camera footage and other sources revealed that Nakamoto had been riding his bicycle around the building prior to the incident. He was also found to have ridden his bicycle to the vicinity of the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya Ward after the incident.
Police have received multiple complaints of similar abuse from other women. As well, multiple videos believed to show lewd acts were found on Nakamoto’s smartphone. Police are now investigating whether he was behind additional crimes.
NHK commented, “We deeply regret the arrest of one of our staff members, and offer our deepest apologies to the victim and our viewers. We will quickly verify the facts and take strict action.”
