HONG KONG. Japanese pop idol Kenshin Kamimura, 26, was found guilty on Wednesday by a Hong Kong court of indecently assaulting a woman who served as his interpreter during a fan event in March.
Kamimura, a former member of the six-member boy group One N’ Only, pleaded not guilty in April and did not testify during his July trial. Magistrate Peter Yu said Kamimura’s actions showed “obvious disrespect towards women,” adding that his physical contact carried a sexual undertone. “Such behaviour should be condemned,” Yu said, before imposing a fine of HK$15,000 ($1,923) after the singer’s lawyer urged for a financial penalty rather than imprisonment.
According to court testimony, the victim, identified only as X, was hired to interpret for Kamimura and actor Junsei Motojima during a fan meeting in Hong Kong on March 1. Later that evening, during a dinner in Mong Kok, Kamimura allegedly sat beside her, repeatedly brushed and patted her thigh, and suggested they visit the bathroom together. Despite her refusals, he continued making advances, including brushing her inner thigh multiple times.
X told the court she rejected his suggestions and moved away, but Kamimura blocked her path before eventually apologizing and telling her to “forget what just happened.” He then asked about her relationship status and whether she intended to marry her boyfriend before resuming the inappropriate contact.
Kamimura’s lawyer argued that alcohol may have impaired his judgment and stressed that he did not intend to coerce or threaten the victim. The court noted that the singer had already suffered career consequences, having been dismissed from his agency and forced to leave his group immediately after the incident.
Several fans wept in the public gallery upon hearing the verdict, while dozens waited outside the courthouse. Kamimura left without making a statement.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
