Thumbs Up to the Camera... The Fate of the Japanese Rapist Who Outraged the Nation

A Japanese man in his 50s has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for raping female guests at the guesthouse he operated. On September 25, the Yomiuri Shimbun and Fuji News Network (FNN) reported that the Okayama District Court sentenced Toshiharu Takeuchi (51), who was indicted on charges including quasi-forcible intercourse, to 26 years in prison on September 24. From 2018 to 2022, over a period of about four years, Takeuchi drugged ten female guests at his guesthouse in Satosho, Okayama Prefecture, with sleep-inducing substances and raped them while they were unable to resist. Takeuchi was also indicted for illegally filming one of the victims naked with a small camera.

During the trial, Takeuchi testified, "I was ordered to commit the crimes by a black shadow, and I thought I would be killed if I didn't obey." His attorney argued, "The defendant was suffering from schizophrenia or a similar mental disorder at the time of the incident and was in a state of insanity," claiming that Takeuchi was unable to distinguish right from wrong or control his actions, and therefore should be found not guilty.

The prosecution stated, "He used the guesthouse as a trap to satisfy his sexual desires," and pointed out, "He continues to make absurd excuses, such as claiming he was ordered by a black shadow, and fundamentally lacks any sense of morality." The prosecution sought a 28-year prison sentence. The court noted that Takeuchi had saved videos of the assaults, organizing them by victim, and commented, "He acted in an extremely rational manner to achieve his goals, and there is no evidence of hallucinations or delusions." The court added, "The content is so horrific that one would want to look away," and "The psychological suffering of the victims is immense." The court sentenced Takeuchi to 26 years in prison. In response, Takeuchi's side announced plans to appeal.

Meanwhile, Japanese media, in their coverage of Takeuchi's sentencing, used footage showing him giving a thumbs-up to reporters' cameras at the time of his prosecution referral in 2022, appearing unremorseful. Local online users reacted by saying, "I don't understand why the court reduced the sentence by two years from the prosecution's request," "He showed no sign of remorse and should have received the full 28-year sentence," "The reason for the reduced sentence should be explained," and "He should have been left to rot in prison for life."

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