Shinji Saito, a former member of the comedy duo Jungle Pocket, appeared in a Tokyo District Court hearing on May 8, 2026 [2].
The case centers on allegations of sexual assault within the professional environment of a television production, raising questions about safety and conduct on industry transport.
Prosecutors allege that Saito, 43 [1], sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s [4] inside a location bus parked in Shinjuku [3]. The charges include non-consensual intercourse, and non-consensual indecent assault [5]. The alleged incident occurred in 2024 [3].
During the third trial hearing, a television program director testified regarding the nature of the environment where the alleged crime took place. The director said that such an incident occurring in a location bus is unprecedented. The witness said, "It is unheard of. I cannot believe it" [1].
Saito has contested the nature of the encounter. He said that he thought the woman had consented [2].
While the director characterized the assault as unprecedented, other testimony provided a different perspective on the surroundings. According to reports, some aspects of the day, such as the taking of photographs, were described as following a general flow and not necessarily abnormal [3].
The proceedings continue as the court examines the evidence regarding consent, and the specific circumstances inside the production vehicle [3].
“"It is unheard of. I cannot believe it"”
This trial highlights the legal scrutiny of 'consent' within the Japanese entertainment industry, particularly in semi-private work spaces like production buses. The testimony from the program director suggests that the alleged behavior deviates sharply from industry norms, which may influence the court's determination of the defendant's intent and the victim's lack of consent.
