Ex-Japan prosecutor who accused boss of rape urges reform

In 2024, a former Japanese prosecutor named Hikari accused her former boss, Kentaro Kitagawa, of rape. Kitagawa, who was then the top prosecutor of Osaka District, admitted to the assault but later recanted, claiming it was consensual. Hikari, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been urging for reform within the prosecutor's office.

She claims that victims’ allegations are not being properly investigated and that her former office has failed to protect her from further harm. Hikari has learned that prosecutors disclosed her office entry and exit records, as well as work email exchanges, to Kitagawa, which made her feel uneasy and afraid. She has since requested an independent probe into harassment within prosecutor's offices across Japan, but officials have rejected her request, instead launching their own internal probe in June.

Hikari resigned officially on Monday due to worsening PTSD after learning that an assistant prosecutor, allegedly Kitagawa's lover, spread malicious rumors about her. The assistant prosecutor also deleted relevant phone records despite being ordered not to. Despite filing a criminal complaint against the assistant prosecutor, which was dismissed with only a reprimand, Hikari's request for safer working conditions was also rejected.

Hikari fears that victims could suffer even more if authorities fail to conduct proper investigations and stresses the need for reform to protect both the law and people.