Tokyo: A shocking criminal case emerged from Japan, wherein a 54-year-old former taxi driver, Satoshi Tanaka, was arrested on charges of drugging and sexually assaulting multiple female passengers over several years. Tokyo police confirmed his arrest on Wednesday, May 21, revealing the disturbing scale of abuse involving at least 50 women, documented in thousands of video recordings.
According to The Yomiuri Shimbun and Jiji Press, investigators recovered approximately 3,000 videos and images from Tanaka’s personal devices, allegedly showing him assaulting women either in his taxi or at his home. Police believe the offences spanned more than a decade, dating back to at least 2008.
Victims Drugged and Assaulted After Losing Consciousness
The investigation gained momentum following an incident last year, involving a woman in her twenties. Tanaka is accused of offering her sleeping pills during a taxi ride, causing her to lose consciousness. “The man got a woman, then in her 20s, to take sleeping pills, which caused her to lose consciousness, took her to his home and committed an indecent act, which he filmed,” a Tokyo police spokesperson told AFP.
Traces of the sedatives were later found in the victim’s hair. Authorities believe this method may have been repeated with many of the other women shown in the footage. In addition to the charges of non-consensual sexual intercourse, Tanaka faces accusations under Japanese laws prohibiting the filming of intimate body parts without consent.
Repeat Offender with Disturbing Pattern of Abuse
Tanaka’s criminal history includes multiple earlier arrests. In October, he was apprehended for allegedly drugging another woman and stealing 40,000 yen (approximately £220) from her. Though initially released, he was re-arrested in December over separate allegations of indecent assault.
Tokyo police have not released further details, citing the sensitivity of the case, but investigations are ongoing.
