Former chief public prosecutor resumes trial on 27th, pleads not guilty to sexual violence against subordinate - Osaka District Court

On the 14th, the Osaka District Court decided to hold the second trial on the 27th for defendant Kentaro Kitagawa (67), who was charged with semi-forced sexual intercourse for sexually assaulting a subordinate female prosecutor in his official residence in September 2018 when he was the chief prosecutor at the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office. The arraignment will resume, and the defendant will plead not guilty. After questioning witnesses and questioning the defendant, the trial will conclude on February 15th next year, with a verdict scheduled for March 12th of the same year.

Female prosecutor petitions Osaka District Court for sexual assault by former chief public prosecutor, asking for criminal charges to be imposed on her

At his first trial in October 2024, Kitagawa admitted to the charges and apologized, saying, ``I deeply regret causing serious damage.'' However, in December of the same year, his lawyer held a press conference and announced his intention to maintain his innocence, saying, ``I believed there was consent, so there was no criminal intent.'' Due to closed-door discussions to sort out the issues and evidence, the subsequent trial date remained undecided.