• Source:JND
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Kenshin Kamimura Case: Japanese pop idol Kenshin Kamimura was found guilty on Wednesday of indecently assaulting a female interpreter in Hong Kong. The verdict was given in front of some of his emotional fans. Kamimura, a former member of the Japanese boy group ONE N’ ONLY, was arrested in March in the southern Chinese city. That same month, his contract with the group was cancelled due to what was described as a serious compliance violation. In April, he had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Meanwhile, the court heard that Kamimura repeatedly touched the interpreter’s thigh during a celebratory dinner at a restaurant. She also testified that he invited her to a bathroom elsewhere. When she refused and told him she had a boyfriend, Kamimura allegedly continued touching her thigh.

During last month’s trial, the interpreter reportedly gave her evidence via live video link. The defence argued that she had exaggerated her claims and that the invitation to the bathroom may not have been based on any improper motives. However, Judge Peter Yu ruled that Kamimura’s behaviour was inappropriate. He said the singer touched the interpreter “in a caressing nature that implicitly carried a sexual undertone and had indecent intent.” He added, “The defendant’s acts are obviously disrespectful toward women… Such behaviour should be condemned.”

On the other hand, the maximum penalty for indecent assault in Hong Kong is 10 years in prison. However, Kamimura avoided a jail sentence. His lawyers reportedly asked for a lighter punishment and said he had “a promising future” and had “paid a heavy price” already. Instead, the judge fined him 15,000 Hong Kong dollars (about £1,500). When the verdict was read, some of his fans cried in the courtroom. Kamimura appeared relieved and hugged his courtroom translator. He did not speak to the media before leaving in a car.

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Additionally, supporters, including people from Japan and mainland China, queued early in the morning to get seats inside the court. Others who attended were not fans but said they wanted to understand the case better, especially after seeing online criticism of the female interpreter. University student Betty Zhong from Shenzhen said she was not a fan but came because her friend liked Kamimura. “News reports are not so comprehensive. When I come here, I can understand it holistically and the explanations from both sides,” she said.

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Kamimura Work Front

Apart from being a pop singer, Kamimura is also an actor. He has appeared in several TV dramas, including the boys’ love series Our Youth and the popular drama Ossan’s Love Returns.