Former Kusatsu Town Councilor Sentenced to Suspended Term for False Sexual Assault Accusation

On May 29, the Maebashi District Court handed down a verdict of two years in prison, suspended for five years, to former town councilor Shoko Arai in the case of a false sexual assault accusation set in Kusatsu Town, Gunma Prefecture. Arai was accused of making false allegations in an e-book and other materials, and filing a criminal complaint, claiming to have had a sexual relationship with Kusatsu Mayor Nobutada Kuroiwa in his office, despite no such incident occurring. These accusations severely damaged the town's reputation, leading it to be derided as a "rape town."

Following the verdict, Mayor Kuroiwa held a press conference, expressing his strong indignation at the incident, describing it as "tantamount to terrorism or a random attack." He spoke of the suffering caused by being falsely accused and the entire town's honor being defamed, and expressed hope that the current verdict would help clear the town's name.

On social media (X), a variety of opinions have been exchanged regarding this verdict. Many users criticized the suspended sentence as "too lenient," saying that "perpetrators get away with it" and that it would "have a negative impact on future sexual offense trials." There were also numerous calls for apologies and accountability from some feminists and media outlets allegedly complicit in the false accusation. Comments were seen pointing out the gravity of "making a false confession in front of the media, revealing one's face and name," and referencing the significant damage incurred. Celebrity So Takei also shared his view on the terror of false accusations and the difficulty of obtaining compensation, stating, "If the same thing happened to me, it would spread instantly, I'd be labeled, face massive backlash, and lose all my work and income. This is terrifying."

Conversely, some opinions strongly called for punishment, stating, "We demand the imprisonment of the former town councilor who made the false sexual assault accusation and the exclusion from society of the 'femifascists' who aided in the injustice." Others advocated for the need for a balanced discussion on sexual assault issues, remarking, "Sexual assault must never happen. But using it for personal gain must also never happen. Neither should exist."

This incident has garnered significant public attention, with "false sexual assault" appearing high on Yahoo! Japan's trending keywords. While the verdict marks a milestone, there remains a continued need for society as a whole to discuss the defamation caused by false accusations and their impact on the credibility of genuine sexual assault claims. Notably, Arai had also previously been reported to have debt troubles.

The context

Kusatsu Town, located in Gunma Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous and beloved hot spring resorts, attracting numerous domestic and international tourists annually. Its economy and reputation are heavily reliant on its image as a safe, relaxing, and welcoming destination. The false accusation that led to this verdict was a claim made by former town councilor Shoko Arai against Mayor Nobutada Kuroiwa in 2019, alleging a sexual encounter in the mayor's office. This accusation was disseminated in an e-book and reported by some media outlets, causing the town to be widely branded as a "rape town" (レイプの町) online and in public discourse. This severely jeopardized its reputation as a tourist destination.

The controversy escalated, leading to a recall petition against Mayor Kuroiwa and, subsequently, Arai herself being recalled from her position as a town councilor in December 2020 after a significant majority of residents voted for her dismissal. Mayor Kuroiwa also filed civil defamation lawsuits, one of which he won in 2023, with the court ordering Arai to pay damages. The criminal charges and the subsequent verdict on May 29, 2024, are a separate legal process further affirming the false nature of the original sexual assault claim. The case highlights the devastating impact of false accusations on individuals and communities, as well as the challenges of rectifying reputational damage, particularly in the age of rapid social media dissemination.