- December 12, 2023
Three Japanese ex-soldiers convicted in landmark sexual assault case – Times of India
NEW DELHI: A Japanese court on Tuesday found three former soldiers guilty of sexual assault in a high-profile case that exposed a widespread culture of harassment in the military, CNN reported.
The Fukushima District Court ruled that the three men committed forcible indecency against Rina Gonoi, their former female subordinate in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).The court sentenced them to two years in prison with a suspended sentence, potentially allowing them to avoid jail time if they do not commit a crime over the next two years.
The three men were reported to have used martial arts techniques to pin Gonoi down and engage in lewd acts.
Gonoi had endured physical and verbal sexual abuse for over a year while serving in the JSDF. When she reported the abuse to military authorities, two investigations were initiated but dropped due to a lack of evidence, prompting her to bring attention to the issue on social media, according to CNN.
Gonoi’s efforts led to Japan’s Defense Ministry launching a comprehensive investigation into sexual harassment within the JSDF.
“I wanted to help other people who had also been sexually harassed (in the JSDF). As for the perpetrators, I wanted an apology and for them to admit to what they had done; I wanted to prevent others from going through what I went through; that’s why I spoke out,”CNN quoted her as saying in July.
Prosecutors reopened an investigation into the case of Rina Gonoi, who endured daily physical and verbal sexual harassment between late 2020 and August 2021 while serving in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). The Ministry of Defense acknowledged guilt and issued a public apology, resulting in the dishonorable dismissal of five servicemen and the punishment of four others.
Despite these actions, Gonoi pursued criminal and civil cases, including lawsuits against the government and her alleged assailants.
In September 2022, Ground Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Yoshihide Yoshida also issued a public apology to Gonoi. “On behalf of the Ground Self-Defense Force, I would like to express my deepest apologies to Gonoi, who has been suffering for a long time. I am very sorry, ” Yoshida said.
The Ministry of Defense commissioned a report in August, revealing an entrenched culture of harassment and fear within Japan’s military. The report highlighted 1,325 cases of harassment, with victims expressing dissatisfaction with counselors and reporting feeling disregarded by the JSDF.
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada acknowledged the need for “drastic measures” and promised reforms, CNN reported.
The Fukushima District Court ruled that the three men committed forcible indecency against Rina Gonoi, their former female subordinate in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).The court sentenced them to two years in prison with a suspended sentence, potentially allowing them to avoid jail time if they do not commit a crime over the next two years.
The three men were reported to have used martial arts techniques to pin Gonoi down and engage in lewd acts.
Gonoi had endured physical and verbal sexual abuse for over a year while serving in the JSDF. When she reported the abuse to military authorities, two investigations were initiated but dropped due to a lack of evidence, prompting her to bring attention to the issue on social media, according to CNN.
Gonoi’s efforts led to Japan’s Defense Ministry launching a comprehensive investigation into sexual harassment within the JSDF.
“I wanted to help other people who had also been sexually harassed (in the JSDF). As for the perpetrators, I wanted an apology and for them to admit to what they had done; I wanted to prevent others from going through what I went through; that’s why I spoke out,”CNN quoted her as saying in July.
Prosecutors reopened an investigation into the case of Rina Gonoi, who endured daily physical and verbal sexual harassment between late 2020 and August 2021 while serving in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). The Ministry of Defense acknowledged guilt and issued a public apology, resulting in the dishonorable dismissal of five servicemen and the punishment of four others.
Despite these actions, Gonoi pursued criminal and civil cases, including lawsuits against the government and her alleged assailants.
In September 2022, Ground Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Yoshihide Yoshida also issued a public apology to Gonoi. “On behalf of the Ground Self-Defense Force, I would like to express my deepest apologies to Gonoi, who has been suffering for a long time. I am very sorry, ” Yoshida said.
The Ministry of Defense commissioned a report in August, revealing an entrenched culture of harassment and fear within Japan’s military. The report highlighted 1,325 cases of harassment, with victims expressing dissatisfaction with counselors and reporting feeling disregarded by the JSDF.
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada acknowledged the need for “drastic measures” and promised reforms, CNN reported.
