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Julian Ryall

The head of a special police unit set up to combat the ongoing problem of women being groped on Japan's trains has been arrested for allegedly molesting a teenage student.
Hironori Nagasaki was arrested after allegedly approaching the the student in a parking area in front of Hiratsuka station, southwest of Tokyo, at around 10pm on October 29, national broadcaster NHK reported.
As Nagasaki reportedly grabbed the student, she screamed and he fled. He was caught by a passer-by a short distance away and handed over to police.
Nagasaki told police that he was off duty and on his way home after going out drinking.
Officers quoted the 30-year-old head of the Kanagawa prefectural police train molestation control division as saying: "I did a bad thing to her."
Nagasaki has been charged with contravening public nuisance laws.
Gropers who prey on young women on Japan's notoriously crowded commuter trains have long been a problem and train operators and local authorities are struggling to devise ways to stamp out the problem.

The National Police Agency and train companies have set up a study group to discuss methods of making the gropers stop, including the installation of security cameras in train carriages and the introduction of women-only sections.
There are around 1,800 arrests every year in connection with allegations of groping, although the actual figure of incidents is believed to be far higher as victims are often too embarrassed to come forward.
Yoshinori Koshimizu, a senior official with the Kanagawa force, described Nagasaki's actions as being "unworthy of a police officer".
"I deeply apologise to the victim and local residents," he said. "We will endeavour to investigate the matter further and we will deal with it in the most strict manner."


Head of Japanese police anti-groping unit arrested for allegedly molesting girl

Female passengers queue up for a "Women Only" carriage at Tokyo's Shinjuku Station. Photo: AFP

Hironori Nagasaki was arrested after allegedly approaching the the student in a parking area in front of Hiratsuka station (above). Photo: Screenshot via JNN

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Asia

The head of a special police unit set up to combat the ongoing problem of women being groped on Japan's trains has been arrested for allegedly molesting a teenage student.
