Former senior Osaka prosecutor changes plea in sexual assault case to not guilty

Defendant Kentaro Kitagawa, 67, switched to denying the charge of constructive forcible sexual intercourse despite admitting to it in the first hearing. The defense argued that the woman had lost objective evidence, given that she reported the incident five and a half years later.

“I admit to the fact that I engaged in sexual intercourse, but I dispute that the alleged victim was unable to resist,” Kitagawa told the court.