Judo Principal Abuse Trial: 10 Crimes & Victim Accounts

On June 27th, the Chiba District Court (Judge Miyamoto Satoshi) was first trial for unemployed Ishino Yuta (32), who was charged with 10 charges, including strangling a boy who attends a judo hall in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, where he was run, forcibly giving him a drink of soy sauce, and sexually assaulting multiple girls. Defendant Ishino fully admitted, “It’s all wrong,” and the defense also expressed a stance that he would not contest the content of the indictment.

Shueisha Online Editorial Department News Team

There were 10 crimes charged, with girls under the age of 13…

It was discovered that in May 2023, Ishino had 11-year-old boy lying face down and strangled him, then assaulted him by lying on his back and forcing him to drink soy sauce, and was arrested by the Chiba Prefectural Police last November.

Subsequent investigations revealed that from May 2022 to October 2024, five girls under the age of 13 were given sleeping pills and sexually assaulted them at accommodation facilities in the prefecture that were used during judo training camps, and then photographed the incident, and the prefectural police and Chiba District Public Prosecutors Office repeatedly arrested and indicted them. In response to this, the All Japan Judo Federation (All Judo Federation) expelled Ishino in March this year.

The crimes that Ishino was charged with include: △ Unconsensual sexual intercourse, etc. Photographing of sexual appearances, etc. Child prostitution, △ Violation of the law regarding child pornography and the protection of children △ Assault △ Attempted sexual intercourse, etc. △ Unconsensual sexual intercourse, etc. △ Unconsensual indecency △ Forced indecency △ Forced indecency △ Semi-forced indecency.

Defendant Ishino
Defendant Ishino

View all images

At the trial that began at the Chiba District Court, Ishino was taken into court by a bailiff and was wearing a shaved head, mask, a gray T-shirt, sweatpants of the same color, and brown slippers. Defendant Ishino, who is a sturdy sculpture typical of a judo artist, bowed to the audience and replied loudly to the indictment read out, “Everything is wrong.”

All the victims were minors and the trial proceeded with the letters of alphabets from A to F, but the entire audience was filled with quiet anger at the defendant’s vivid and cruel work that the prosecution revealed in his opening statement. The summary of the indictment and opening statement is as follows:

At around 8am on May 3, 2023, during a training camp at a judo school run by his own company, he lay down his face at an accommodation facility in Chiba Prefecture, and then strangled his neck with his right arm. On the same day, around 6pm, A was instructed to lie on his back in the facility’s cafeteria, and assaulted him, including pouring soy sauce in, and filmed the scene with his own smartphone. It was revealed that when investigating the evidence, he had confessed that he was “angry about A’s attitude.”

At around 2am on October 13th, 2024, a girl B, who was under the age of 13 at the time, was given a juice mixed with the sleeping pill, brotizolam, and while she was sleeping, she had oral sex, and then she took off her clothes, and filmed the scene with her smartphone.

Chiba District Court (Photographer/Shueisha Online)
Chiba District Court (Photographer/Shueisha Online)

At around 1am on May 6, 2023, during a training camp, I tried oral sex with a girl C, who was under the age of 13 at the time, who was sleeping, but was unable to meet due to the direction of her face. At that time, she also took a picture of her genitals getting closer to C using her smartphone. On October 8th of the same year, around 3am, he inserted his left hand into C’s genitals while he was sleeping, and the same image was taken. On May 3, 2024, around midnight, he tried to have oral sex with C, who had been put to sleep with brotizolam, but attempted to do so, and he pressed his genitals against his face. He took off C’s clothes, touched her breasts and inserted her fingers into her genitals, and photographed the same way.

Incident overview: A Summary of the Charges Against Ishino Yuta

To better understand the scope and severity of the allegations against Ishino Yuta, the following table provides a concise overview of the charges and the specific actions alleged. This information is presented to provide clarity and context, adhering to the principle of responsible journalism.

| Charge | Description | Date of Incident(s) | Victim(s) | Details |

| :———————————————————– | :—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— | :—————————————— | :————————————————- | :———————————————————————————————————————————————— |

| Strangulation & Assault | Strangling an 11-year-old boy and forcing him to consume soy sauce. | May 3, 2023 | 11-year-old boy (victim A) | Strangling with right arm; forcing the victim to lie on his back and drink soy sauce. Incident occurred during a judo training camp. |

| Sexual Assault (multiple Incidents) | Administering sleeping pills to girls under 13 and sexually assaulting them. | May 2022 – October 2024 | Five girls under the age of 13 (Victims B, C and others) | Incidents occurred at accommodation facilities during judo training camps; multiple instances of sexual assault documented which included photography. |

| Photographing of Sexual Appearances & Child Pornography | Capturing photographic evidence of the sexual assaults, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior. | Instances related to the sexual assault cases | Victims B, C and others | Smartphones were used to capture and document sexual assault incidents. Evidence suggests an intent to create and distribute child pornography. |

| Other Charges | Including attempted sexual intercourse, forced indecency, and semi-forced indecency, reflecting a range of criminal acts. | Multiple dates between May 2022 – October 2024 | Victims B, C and others | These charges encompass a broader spectrum of unlawful acts, highlighting the extent of the alleged misconduct. |

Note: The details provided are based on information presented in court documents and public statements. The presumption of innocence remains until proven guilty.


FAQ: Addressing Common Questions About the Ishino Yuta Case

this FAQ section provides answers to frequently asked questions, aiming to clarify the facts and provide a deeper understanding of this complex case. We aim to adhere to the principles of accuracy and thoroughness in our reporting, addressing the critical questions readers may have.

Q: What is ishino Yuta accused of?

A: Ishino Yuta is facing multiple charges, including strangulation, assault, multiple counts of sexual assault of minors, photographing sexual appearances, child pornography, and various other related offenses.

Q: Where did these alleged incidents occur?

A: The incidents primarily occurred at accommodation facilities used during judo training camps in Chiba Prefecture.

Q: When did the alleged crimes take place?

A: The alleged crimes spanned from May 2022 to October 2024.

Q: Where is the trial taking place?

A: The trial is taking place at the Chiba District Court.

Q: What is the All Japan Judo Federation’s response?

A: The All Japan Judo Federation (All Judo Federation) expelled Ishino in March of the current year.

Q: What is the defendant’s plea?

A: Ishino Yuta has pleaded “Everything is wrong” to the charges. His defense has not contested the contents of the indictment.

Q: What are the potential consequences if found guilty?

A: If convicted, Ishino Yuta faces severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, based on the severity of the charges. further details regarding the specific sentencing will depend on the court’s rulings throughout the trial.

Q: How is this different from similar cases?

A: This case highlights the intersection of sports training (judo) with allegations of severe abuse, emphasizing the need for increased preventative measures and awareness about child safety within training environments. The specific details involving soy sauce consumption and the extensive photographic evidence are unique to this case, highlighting the perpetrator’s cruelty and intent.

Disclaimer: This FAQ is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Aiko Tanaka

Aiko Tanaka is a combat sports journalist and general sports reporter at Archysport. A former competitive judoka who represented Japan at the Asian Games, Aiko brings firsthand athletic experience to her coverage of judo, martial arts, and Olympic sports. Beyond combat sports, Aiko covers breaking sports news, major international events, and the stories that cut across disciplines — from doping scandals to governance issues to the business side of global sport. She is passionate about elevating the profile of underrepresented sports and athletes.

Leave a Comment