Tokyo police have arrested Kensuke Nakamoto, a 50-year-old chief director for NHK's sports news programs, on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman in Shibuya Ward. The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. on January 4, when the suspect allegedly took a woman in her 20s into a nearby building. NHK expressed deep regret over the arrest and apologized to the victim and viewers.
Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department, through its Shibuya Police Station, arrested Kensuke Nakamoto, 50, the chief director for sports news programs at NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, on suspicion of indecent assault. The alleged incident took place around 2:15 p.m. on January 4 in Shibuya Ward, where Nakamoto is accused of taking a woman in her 20s, who was walking on the street, into a nearby multi-tenant building and assaulting her on a staircase landing.
According to police, Nakamoto threatened the victim by claiming he possessed something dangerous. He reportedly fled the scene by bicycle toward his workplace in Shibuya Ward afterward. Investigators found videos and photographs on the suspect's smartphone depicting indecent acts with other women, and they are examining these in detail.
Nakamoto has partially denied the allegations, stating that he did not hold down the woman's arms or threaten her. In a statement, NHK described the employee's arrest as "truly regrettable" and offered deep apologies to the victim and viewers.
The case raises questions about accountability at a major public institution, though police investigations are ongoing.