Zhang Weixiong, a 33-year-old Chinese national charged with forcible indecency for touching a woman’s chest on the street, was held on December 4 at the Tokyo District Court.
According to the indictment, Zhang allegedly approached a 21-year-old woman on the street in Tokyo’s Asakusa. Zhang then reportedly inserted his hand into her clothing and grabbed her left breast.
“Zhang had come to Japan with his family as tourists. After similar incidents were reported, police conducted an investigation and identified Zhang through security camera footage in the area. At the time of his arrest, Zhang denied the charges, claiming he had no recollection of the incident,” said a reporter from a national newspaper agency.
Zhang appeared in court wearing a gray tracksuit, with “ASAKUSA” printed on the back in Roman letters. His distinct wide, double-lidded eyes appeared lifeless, showing signs of fatigue. As Zhang does not understand Japanese, an interpreter assisted during the trial. After the prosecutor read the indictment, Zhang admitted to the charges and hung his head in shame.
“This case has sparked reactions on Chinese social media, where Zhang has been subjected to harsh criticism, being labeled a ‘national disgrace’ and a ‘shame to China.’ The trial has drawn significant attention, with even Hong Kong students attending the courtroom to observe the rare case of Chinese criticism over an incident in Japan,” commented a journalist familiar with Chinese affairs.
