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Prosecutor's Office Files Charges Against Hakone Ekiden Champ Komazawa University's Anchor in Underage Sex Case


On July 30 the Yokohama District Prosecutor's Office filed charges against Takuma Ishikawa, 21, anchor of Komazawa University's 2021 Hakone Ekiden winning team. Ishikawa is charged with committing obscene acts with a 17-year-old high school girl in violation of the Kanagawa Prefecture Ordinance of Juvenile Protection. The prosecutor's office did not indicate whether the filing has been approved yet or not.

According to the indictment, with full knowledge that the girl was under age 18, Ishikawa committed indecent acts with her on Dec. 20 last year and Jan. 17 this year, and saved video of additional obscene acts with her to his phone in February. 

Kanagawa Prefectural Police said that the two met in late October last year through a dating app. Although they met in person both before and after the Hakone Ekiden, police say the girl had no knowledge that Ishikawa was the anchor of the winning team. On January 3 Ishikawa came from over a kilometer behind to dramatically run down Soka University, gaining nationwide recognition and giving Komazawa its first Hakone title in 13 years.

Translator's note: Japanese courts have a conviction rate of over 99%. If the case goes to court it is almost a foregone conclusion that Ishikawa will be convicted. More on this story here.

source article:
translated by Brett Larner

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