On the 19th of November, police in Okinawa arrested a 77-year-old unemployed man from Itoman City on charges of attempted coercion and defamation. The authorities allege that the man damaged the reputation of a woman who had accused Koja Keiharu, a former mayor, of sexual harassment. While the man has not publicly disclosed his stance on the accusations against him, the investigation reveals that he had been active on social media in making threatening and defaming posts about the victim.

According to investigative sources, between November 9th and 14th of the previous year, the man demanded that the victim reach out to him via social media under the threat of publicly revealing her name if she did not comply. In addition, from November 15th to December 16th, he is reported to have published 15 posts claiming that the allegations of sexual harassment were false and that the victim did not deserve sympathy. His behavior raises serious concerns regarding the harassment and intimidation of victims who come forward with such sensitive allegations.

The police began their investigation in November after receiving reports from individuals connected to the victim. It has come to light that the suspect had been making posts in support of the former mayor, indicating a potential motive for his actions against the female victim. The case reflects broader societal issues regarding the protection of individuals who report sexual harassment and the backlash they may face from the accused or their supporters.