Japanese Footballer Kaishu Sano Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Assault
Incident follows Sano’s recent signing with Bundesliga club Mainz, raising serious concerns about player conduct.
National team player and two others allegedly involved in assault at Tokyo hotel
Tokyo, July 17, 2024 — Japanese footballer Kaishu Sano, who has represented the national team, has been arrested along with two other men on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman at a hotel in Tokyo, police reported on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who earned his first cap for Japan last November, and two men in their 20s are alleged to have colluded in the assault in Bunkyo Ward between 2 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Sunday. Tokyo police have not disclosed the responses of the accused to the allegations.
The alleged victim, a woman in her 30s, immediately contacted law enforcement following the incident. Police located the three men on a street near the hotel and arrested them late Sunday after voluntary questioning, according to police and investigative sources.
The men reportedly dined with the woman and her friend on Saturday evening before heading to the hotel. The woman’s friend left before the alleged assault occurred.
The arrest comes shortly after German Bundesliga club Mainz announced on July 3 that it had signed Sano to a four-year contract, extending until 2028. Prior to this, Sano played for the J-League first-division team Kashima Antlers.
Sano, who has four caps, was part of Japan’s Samurai Blue squad for the Asian Cup tournament held in Qatar from January to February. This incident casts a shadow over his professional achievements and raises serious concerns about his conduct off the field.
