Shizuoka high school teacher, 49, arrested over secret filming of teenage woman
In short
A 49-year-old teacher at a prefectural high school in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture was arrested on October 21 on suspicion of secretly filming a woman in her teens in early May. He admits filming but says he did not aim to film her, police said. The prefectural board of education apologised.
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A 49-year-old male teacher at a prefectural high school in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture was arrested on October 21 on suspicion of secretly filming a woman in her teens, TBS NEWS DIG and Nippon TV News reported. Nishi-Nippon Shimbun also reported the arrest of a high school teacher in Shizuoka. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to police, the man is suspected of secretly filming the woman on video in the western part of the prefecture in early May. TBS described the offence as secretly filming a sexual state and gave the suspected charge as sexual-image filming. Nippon TV said the video was of the woman's underwear. [ 1 , 3 ]
The outlets differ on how the case came to light. TBS reported that a person connected with the school where the man works gave information to Fujinomiya police station around mid-September. Nippon TV reported that a school official found signs that the man had filmed it on a shared computer at the school and passed the information to police. [ 1 , 3 ]
The man admitted filming the woman but told police he did not film her on purpose, according to both outlets. Nippon TV said police are investigating other possible offences as well. TBS said police did not disclose the relationship between the man and the victim, citing victim protection. [ 1 , 3 ]
Ayako Maezawa (前澤綾子), the superintendent of the prefectural board of education, issued a statement. She said that, while the board is working together to eradicate misconduct, it is deeply regrettable that a teacher who deals with pupils daily was arrested on suspicion of sexual-image filming, and she apologised deeply to residents including pupils and parents. She said the board would promptly confirm the facts and deal with the matter strictly, and would further strengthen and thoroughly apply guidance to teaching staff to restore trust in education. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The case involves a teacher employed at a public school, and the prefectural education board said it would confirm the facts and strengthen guidance for teaching staff. The documents give no further basis for wider significance.
Key facts
- A 49-year-old male teacher at a prefectural high school in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture was arrested on October 21. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He is suspected of secretly filming a woman in her teens on video in the western part of the prefecture in early May. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He admitted filming but said he did not film her on purpose, according to police. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Police said they are investigating other possible offences as well. [ 3 ]
- The prefectural board of education apologised and said it would confirm the facts promptly and deal with the matter strictly. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A high school teacher in Shizuoka Prefecture was arrested on October 21 on suspicion of secretly filming a woman in her teens. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The teacher is 49 and works at a prefectural high school in the eastern part of the prefecture; the filming is suspected to have happened in early May in the western part. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The man admitted filming but said "I did not film her on purpose" (狙って撮ったわけではない). [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How the case came to light TBS said a person connected with the school gave information to Fujinomiya police station in mid-September; Nippon TV said a school official found signs of the filming on a shared computer at the school and informed police.
- What exactly was filmed TBS described secretly filming the woman in a sexual state; Nippon TV said it was video of her underwear.
- The relationship between the man and the victim Police did not disclose it, citing protection of the victim.