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Toyama man denies raping teenage daughter at trial opening

TOYAMA (TR) – A man accused of raping his 24-year-old daughter when she was a teenager eight years ago denied the allegations at the opening of his trial here on Monday.

The man’s daughter, Riho Fukuyama, is using her real name to speak out against sex-related crimes at home in an effort to make other victims understand that they are not alone, reports NHK (Dec. 16).

At the first hearing held at the Toyama District Court on Monday, Koji Daimon, a 53-year-old former company executive, admitted to having sex with his daughter when she was a high school student in August 2016 but claimed innocence. “My daughter was not in a state where she could not resist,” he told the court.

In its opening statement, the prosecution argued, “The defendant had been violent towards his daughter and had made her feel afraid before the incident. He had sex with her multiple times. The daughter was afraid that her younger sister would also be harmed. As a result, she could not refuse because her family relied on the defendant’s income, including for going to high school or college.”

Meanwhile, the Daimon’s lawyer argued, “He did hit his daughter, but it was within the scope of discipline. He never made her feel afraid. Also, when he invited her, she would sometimes shake his arms off and refuse. He did not use violence to put her in a position where she could not resist, and although he should be condemned ethically and morally, he is innocent.”

Fukuyama plans to use what is called the “victim participation system” as trial proceeds to question the defendant through her lawyer. Fukuyama’s testimony is scheduled to take place on January 23.

Riho Fukuyama (X)

“In what world would a daughter accept sexual acts from her father?”

After her father’s testimony, Fukuyama said, “I felt anger, shame, and many other emotions, but in the end, all I felt was sadness. In what world would a daughter accept sexual acts from her father? I sincerely pray that my father will be tried fairly so that children who are currently being victimized and children who have been victimized can take a courageous step forward.”

Fukuyama held a press conference in March this year using her real name, saying that she wanted to prevent sexual crimes within the home and to create a society where victims can speak out.

According to Fukuyama, she was sexually assaulted a total of eight times by her biological father, Daimon, when her mother was not at home. The alleged abuse took place from her second year of middle school to her second year of high school.

When she was in her second year of high school, she reported the alleged sexual assault to a nurse in the school nurse’s office. She was subsequently taken into custody by a child consultation center on a temporary basis. This ended the assaults.

“The past cannot be changed”

Fukuyama, who is now married and lives in Tokyo, has been receiving treatment at a psychiatric and psychosomatic clinic since she was in junior high school, and says she continues to suffer from flashbacks even after entering university in Tokyo.

When Fukuyama first confronted her father about the abuse two years ago, he admitted to having sex with her, but did not directly apologize.

Fukuyama filed a criminal complaint last year. After an investigation, her father was arrested in March of this year and subsequently indicted.

At a press conference following her father’s arrest, Fukuyama said to him, “The past cannot be changed, but I would be relieved if you would tell me for yourself. I want you to reflect on your actions so that you do not have to suffer because you are related by blood.”

To those who are suffering from sexual abuse within the home, she said, “I know you are worried, but I want you to talk to adults around you, such as child consultation centers or school teachers. The sooner it ends, the less emotional damage you will suffer, so I want you to seek help and put an end to the abuse.”

She then said, “The past cannot be changed, but the future is not one of despair; it will get better. I hope that we can create a society where, even if you are a victim of sexual assault, you will immediately hear the words, ‘It’s not your fault.'”