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FUKUOKA -- A 69-year-old American operating an English language school in Fukuoka is being investigated on suspicion of sexually assaulting pupils, it has been learned.

Over 600 video tapes seized from the man's home have raised suspicions that several dozen people were sexually violated, and Fukuoka Prefectural Police are investigating whether the 69-year-old was involved.

Sources close to the investigation said that analysis of the video tapes caused investigators to suspect that the man had been sexually assaulting students and other victims and subjecting them to obscene behavior from over a decade ago. The victims were believed to be mainly elementary school students. It does not appear that drugs were involved.

Fukuoka Prefectural Police arrested the man in January this year on suspicion of violating the Child Welfare Law by subjecting a girl to obscene behavior, though a decision was not immediately made on whether to charge him. The video tapes were seized during a search of his home.

In February the 69-year-old was served a fresh arrest warrant on suspicion of violating the law against child prostitution and child pornography by producing material banned by the law, and he was indicted in March.

Police are carefully investigating whether any of the images were leaked outside.