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Tokyo Bar Suspends Lawyer Three Months Over Coerced Sex With Client

The Second Tokyo Bar Association ruled the conduct violated professional dignity after a probe connected to allegations that were previously resolved in a 2025 civil settlement.

Overview

  • The Second Tokyo Bar Association announced a three-month suspension on February 6, effective the same day.
  • Investigators found that from October 2021 the lawyer touched and kissed his client and sent messages inviting sexual relations.
  • In January 2022 he was found to have compelled sex after signaling he would not act in line with her litigation wishes.
  • He had served as an adviser to a group advocating against sexual harassment and abuse in the theater and film industries.
  • The client sued in March 2023 and reached a May 2025 settlement that included an apology and a payment, and the bar has not disclosed the lawyer’s statements during its inquiry.