Former Taxi Driver Arrested in Tokyo Amidst Allegations of Drugging and Sexual Assault

Japanese authorities investigate after reports emerge of a suspect filmed assaulting numerous women.

TOKYO: Japanese police announced the arrest of a former taxi driver on Thursday, May 22nd, on suspicion of drugging and raping a female passenger. The case is drawing significant attention, with media reports suggesting a potential for a far greater number of victims.

According to reports from The Yomiuri Shimbun and Jiji Press, authorities discovered approximately 3,000 videos and images purportedly depicting the suspect sexually assaulting around 50 women, both within his taxi and at his residence.

A Tokyo police spokesman informed AFP that, in the most recent alleged incident, the man "got a woman, then in her 20s, to take sleeping pills which caused her to lose consciousness, took her to his home and committed an indecent act, which he filmed."

The 54-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday on "suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse and violation of the law on punishment of filming of sexual parts," the spokesman added, without providing further details.

Media reports indicate that traces of sleeping pills were found in the victim's hair. The recovered footage, obtained from the man's phone and other devices, dates back to 2008.

The reports further indicate the suspect was previously arrested in October for allegedly drugging another woman and stealing 40,000 yen (US$280). He was subsequently released but re-arrested in December for alleged indecent assault.