The Verdict
On August 16, 2023, the Tokyo District Court handed down an eight-year prison sentence to defendant Hiroshi Maeda (44), who was charged with violating the Act on Punishment of Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (manufacture of child pornography and child prostitution) and with forcible sexual intercourse.
The presiding judge ruled that "the defendant skillfully solicited multiple minors via social media and had them repeatedly engage in sexual acts. The methods were premeditated and organized as well as malicious, and gravely damaged the victims' sexual freedom and dignity."
Overview of the Case
Over a period of roughly two years from 2020 to 2022, the defendant used Twitter to make contact with five young women aged 16 to 17. He built relationships under false pretenses, such as claiming he would "introduce them to sugar-daddy partners" or that there was "modeling work," and coerced them into sexual filming and sexual acts. Some of the videos and images he filmed had been sold.
From a Victim-Support Perspective
Following the verdict, a support organization issued a comment stating that "an eight-year sentence can be assessed positively to a degree. However, the victims still carry psychological damage, and long-term support is needed."
This article was compiled based on publicly available information and court records.