The Osaka Public Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday arrested Kentaro Kitagawa, a 64-year-old former head of the Osaka District Public Prosecutor’s Office, on suspicion of what can literally be translated as constructive forced sexual intercourse.
The senior prosecutor’s office did not reveal whether Kitagawa admitted to the charge. It also did not reveal details about the case, including when and where it happened, citing the victim’s privacy.
An informed source said the case is believed to have occurred when Kitagawa was head of the prosecutor’s office from February 2018 to November 2019.
Kitagawa became a prosecutor in 1985 and spent much of his career in the Kansai region. Before being appointed to the top post at the Osaka District Attorney’s Office, he served as Chief of the Naha District Attorney’s Office, Deputy Chief of the Osaka District Attorney’s Office, and Chief of the criminal investigation division of the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office. Since his retirement he has held corporate auditor and other positions.
“It is very regrettable that someone who held an important position as a prosecutor was arrested,” said Tsunekazu Kobashi, deputy chief of the Osaka High Court. “We will consider the final sentence after the investigation is properly completed.”
