Ibaraki cops arrest city councilman in rape of girl under 13

IBARAKI (TR) – Ibaraki Prefectural Police have arrested a council member in Kashima City in the alleged sexual assault of a female elementary school student, reports the Asahi Shimbun (April 24).

On October 12 of last year, Noriyoshi Takamura took the girl to a love hotel and raped her. He also provided her with an iPod Touch music player.

The age of consent in Japan is 13 years old. Police allege that the suspect, who became acquainted with the victim via Twitter, knew that she was less than that age.

Takamura, who has been charged with rape and violating child prostitution and pornography laws, has declined to comment on the allegations.

The matter came to light after the girl’s parents saw the iPod Touch. After the girl revealed how she obtained it, her parents consulted with police.

In April of last year, Takamura was elected to the city council of Kashima. He had previously worked at a welfare institution for handicapped people.