Serial sexting probe continues for ex-governor

TOKYO (AFP) — A former governor in Japan accused of sexual harassment allegedly sent more than 1,000 inappropriate text messages to staff, according to an investigation seen by Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.

Tatsuji Sugimoto, 63, resigned last month, part way into his second term as governor of Fukui prefecture in central Japan after allegations of serial sexual harassment emerged from a whistleblower system.

In emails with some 6,000 officials and face-to-face interviews with 14 of them, lawyers found that “the number of text messages that corroborate sexual harassment is more than 1,000,” the report said.

They included messages like “I won’t say anything about a physical relationship” and “Do you like sexual things?” the report added.

There were also several cases of alleged physical contact such as touching a thigh or buttocks, it said, although Sugimoto denied this to the lawyers.

“It appears that Mr. Sugimoto engaged in so-called groping, and it cannot be ruled out that his conduct may constitute the criminal offense of non-consensual indecent acts,” the report said.

Even after apologizing to victims, Sugimoto in some cases resumed sending messages, which “may also constitute an illegal act” that violates the so-called anti-stalking act, it said.

“Even taking into account Mr. Sugimoto’s expression of his remorse and apologies toward the victim... and that he resigned from the governorship, we must still conclude that Mr. Sugimoto bears grave responsibility,” the report said.