Japanese National Receives Reduced Sentence in Taiwan for Sexual Assault

Court reduces sentence for Japanese national after incident in Taipei's Lin-Sen North Road area.

In Taipei, a Japanese national, identified as W, who operated a bar on Lin-Sen North Road, has been sentenced to two years in prison, with a five-year probation, for a sexual assault incident. The court's decision follows an appeal after W was initially sentenced to three years and two months in prison, and subsequent deportation.

The incident occurred in May of the previous year when W observed an intoxicated individual, initially believed to be a woman, stumbling outside his bar. W followed the individual to their residence under the pretense of offering assistance. Upon entering the apartment, W discovered the individual was a man. Despite this, W proceeded to force the man to perform oral sex. Following the assault, W left NT$500 at the scene before departing.

The victim reported the incident to the police, leading to W's swift arrest. Initially, W denied the accusations, claiming the encounter was consensual. However, the prosecution argued that the victim was too intoxicated to offer consent. The court, acknowledging W's admission of guilt and his reconciliation with the victim, reduced the sentence. W must also perform 200 hours of community service.

The appellate court considered W's expression of remorse and the resolution with the victim, concluding that W was unlikely to re-offend. Therefore, the court decided against ordering his deportation.