The Japanese comedian Shinji Saito, who was expelled from the entertainment industry on suspicion of sexual assault, was reported to be selling bread in a park.
Recently, Japanese outlets including Josei Jishin reported eyewitness accounts that Shinji Saito, a former member of Jungle Pocket, was selling bread at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo.
According to reports, on the radio program Ariyoshi Hiroyuki's SUNDAY NIGHT DREAMER, which aired on the 29th of last month, comedian Ariyoshi Hiroyuki said, "I passed by Yoyogi Park and saw Shinji Saito selling baumkuchen."
He recalled, "I hesitated to speak to him, so I secretly took photos from a distance," and sent the photos he took to Jungle Pocket's Ota Hirohisa.
Saito was selling baumkuchen on the weekend of the 28th and 29th of last month. He was participating in an outdoor cultural event. A visitor to the event said, "Because it overlapped with cherry blossom viewing season, Yoyogi Park was crowded, and Saito stood in front of his stall desperately trying to attract customers. He agreed to commemorative photos with people who didn't buy baumkuchen and provided fan service."
The news sparked controversy because Saito had previously been ousted from the entertainment industry on suspicion of sexual assault. He was indicted on charges of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s inside a production bus that was parked in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in July 2024. Two trials were held on March 13 and 17.
Saito maintained his innocence, saying, "I thought she consented to my actions," but the victim testified vividly about the circumstances during the examination of witnesses at the second trial, saying she had been coerced.
It was also revealed that Saito's side had offered a settlement of 25 million yen. The conditions reportedly included "continuation of entertainment activities" and "not seeking punishment," but the victim demanded a prison sentence and refused the settlement. Although the two sides' claims conflict, reports say there is a possibility Saito could receive a prison sentence.
[Photo] Shinji Saito SNS.
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