The Tokyo District Court on November 6 sentenced a career official at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to one year in prison, suspended for three years, for defamation after he impersonated a woman and sent sexually explicit messages to strangers. Prosecutors had sought one year and six months. The man, in his 50s, has been suspended from duty since being charged.
Presiding Judge Yuichi Tada called the motive "selfish and childish." He suspended the sentence after a settlement was reached with the woman and she said she did not want the man punished. At an October hearing, the defendant repeatedly apologized to the woman and to his own family, saying he wanted "to live out my life as a proper human being."
Transfer blamed on the woman
According to the ruling, between March and May 2026 the man used computers at internet cafes, including one in Kawasaki, to reply to posts on a sexually oriented online message board. Writing as the woman, he sent messages to strangers who had responded to the posts.
The messages included her name, photograph and phone number, along with lines such as "I want to be treated roughly," suggesting she had particular sexual preferences. He sent 147 messages to 146 email addresses, damaging her reputation.
The court found the offense grew out of a mistaken belief about a personnel transfer at work. The man thought the woman's complaint had caused his reassignment and acted, the court said, "so that she would understand that such complaints are a bad thing."
The woman subsequently received a large number of sexually explicit messages. The court found that recipients believed she held the preferences described and contacted her on that basis. It ruled that her reputation was damaged and her peace of daily life disturbed, and that she suffered mental distress severe enough to require hospital treatment.
Settlement and loss of post
The court gave substantial weight to the settlement, under which the woman indicated she forgave the man and compensation appears to have been paid. It also took into account that he admitted the facts, showed remorse and has faced social sanction.
The court concluded the circumstances did not allow a fine. It chose a prison term but suspended its execution. If the ruling becomes final, the man will lose his position under the National Public Service Act.
He listened to the verdict nodding quietly. "I understand this sentence is a heavy one for the defendant," Judge Tada told him.