A Tokyo District Court has found former lawmaker Tamotsu Shiiki guilty of nonconsensual sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl. The incident occurred in August at a karaoke bar located in Tokyo's Kabukicho nightlife district. Despite the severity of the crime, the court handed down a suspended sentence, which has sparked widespread public outrage and criticism over perceived leniency.
Judge Chikako Murata, presiding over the case, described Shiiki's actions as "vile" and underscored how he had "taken advantage of the victim's immaturity." Shiiki, aged 58, had reportedly agreed to pay the young girl for sex. While he has since apologized for his actions and paid compensation to the victim, Judge Murata emphasized that the physical and mental impact on the girl could not be ignored.
The court sentenced Shiiki to a three-year prison term, which was suspended for five years, a decision that the judge deemed "appropriate." However, this ruling has not been universally accepted.
"This is an outrageously light sentence for rape, particularly as the girl was so young," – Sumie Kawakami
Sumie Kawakami, a lecturer at Yamanashi Gakuin University, expressed her disapproval of the sentence, labeling it as "outrageously light." She highlighted how the verdict was especially concerning given the victim's young age.
Tamotsu Shiiki had served as a two-term representative of the Japan Restoration Party in the Diet. The case has reignited debates about the treatment of young victims of sexual violence in Japan. Critics argue that the lenient sentence reflects underlying prejudices within the country's judicial system against young victims.
Observers and activists have called for reforms in how sexual violence cases are handled, advocating for stricter penalties and more sensitivity towards victims. The public outcry signals a growing dissatisfaction with current legal standards and a demand for change.
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