- 14 Mar 2002
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Tomorrow, Tuesday, a Japanese court is due to give a verdict in the landmark trial of three former JSDF soldiers accused of sexual assault in a country where few victims come forward. The victim, Rina Gonoi, 24, received both admiration and hostility when she exposed her ordeal last year – after a military investigation failed to prove – that she was attacked by fellow soldiers who laughed and watched. Her YouTube video (see below) went viral, and over 100,000 people supported a petition she presented to the defence ministry, which then admitted the assault and apologized.
In March, prosecutors changed their previous decision and indicted the three men, who were already expelled from the military, and they could face two years in jail if found guilty. Gonoi had always dreamed of joining the military since she witnessed female soldiers assisting in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the Fukushima area where she was raised. Therefore, revealing her story was a painful decision, she confided to AFP in an interview in February, but she felt it was the only option, portraying herself as "hopeless rather than courageous".
news.yahoo.com
In November, Britain's BBC included Gonoi on a list of 100 "inspiring and influential women" for 2023. Time magazine also included her in its "100 Next" list of people to watch.
In March, prosecutors changed their previous decision and indicted the three men, who were already expelled from the military, and they could face two years in jail if found guilty. Gonoi had always dreamed of joining the military since she witnessed female soldiers assisting in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the Fukushima area where she was raised. Therefore, revealing her story was a painful decision, she confided to AFP in an interview in February, but she felt it was the only option, portraying herself as "hopeless rather than courageous".
Verdict due in landmark Japan army sexual assault case
A Japanese court is due Tuesday to give a verdict in the landmark trial of three ex-soldiers accused of sexual assault in a country where still very few victims come forward.Rina Gonoi, 24, won praise but also hate when she went public last year -- after a military probe found insufficient...
In November, Britain's BBC included Gonoi on a list of 100 "inspiring and influential women" for 2023. Time magazine also included her in its "100 Next" list of people to watch.
