Japanese former career bureaucrat gets 10 years in prison for raping drugged women

The Tokyo District Court on Monday sentenced a former career Ministry of Commerce official to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing six women after giving them sleeping pills.

Dai Sato, 34, raped or groped the women in hotels or restaurants in Tokyo after spiking their drinks between July and December 2022, the ruling said.

“These were dangerous and shameful crimes that disrespected the dignity of the victims,” said presiding judge Yoshihisa Nakao when announcing the verdict. “There are no extenuating circumstances as these were selfish crimes.”

The public prosecutor had demanded 13 years in prison.

The sentence also reflected the fact that Sato had reached an agreement with three of the victims, the judge said.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry fired Sato in May last year after he admitted some of the allegations.

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