Funabashi child guidance center employee arrested for repeated sexual assault

Kodai Mitsuhashi, a 35-year-old employee of the Funabashi City Child Guidance Center, has been arrested on suspicion of repeatedly committing sexual acts against a high school girl on the JR Sobu Line.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Mitsuhashi allegedly waited at the station ticket gates near the victim's home and followed her onto crowded trains. He is suspected of touching the victim's chest and lower body. Mitsuhashi has reportedly admitted to the charges, stating he committed the acts to “satisfy his sexual desire” and targeted the victim because he knew she could not resist.

Investigations suggest the harassment occurred dozens of times over a period of more than a year, beginning around October of last year. The incident came to light after a station employee reported the matter after being consulted by the victim. Police are currently investigating the possibility of further offenses.