Japan footballer Sano arrested for alleged sex assault: reports

This picture taken on January 19, 2024 shows Japan's Kaishu Sano reacting on the bench during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group D football match between Iraq and Japan at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha. Japan footballer Kaishu Sano has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman, local media reported on July 17, 2024. - Photo: AFP

TOKYO: Japan footballer Kaishu Sano has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman, local media reported on Wednesday (July 17).

The 23-year-old defensive midfielder and two friends, also in their 20s, allegedly sexually assaulted the woman at a hotel in Tokyo on Sunday, Japan public broadcaster NHK and other media reported, citing unnamed police sources.

After responding to a call immediately after the alleged assault from the woman, reported to be in her 30s, police arrested the three near the hotel, the reports said.

Contacted by AFP, Japanese police were not immediately available for comment.

Sano, who has won four caps for Japan and was part of the squad at this year's Asian Cup in Qatar, signed for German Bundesliga club Mainz earlier this month from Kashima Antlers.

Japan's Junya Ito, who plays for French side Reims, left the Asian Cup in February after Japanese police said he was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault in Osaka last year.

Ito denied the allegation and is suing his accusers for 200 million yen (US$1.3 million) in damages. - AFP