Tokyo gov't worker posing as welfare officer accused of indecent act against teen

TOKYO -- A 30-year-old local government worker in the Tokyo city of Fussa who allegedly committed an indecent act against a teen while posing as a welfare officer has been arrested, the Metropolitan Police Department's Fussa Police Station announced on May 14.

Tomoya Saegusa, an employee at the Fussa Municipal Government's street and sewerage division who lives in the same city, was arrested on May 12 on suspicion of trespassing and performing an indecent act without consent.

Saegusa is specifically accused of intruding into the teenage woman's apartment in Fussa at around 7:30 a.m. on May 12 and hugging and touching her. When he went outside, the victim contacted her family, who called the police. He visited the victim's home again, and officers who had rushed there arrested him on the spot.

The suspect has reportedly denied the allegations, telling police, "I don't remember."

Saegusa had been working for the city's child and family support division until March, according to the municipal government.

(Japanese original by Miyuki Fujisawa, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)