The Empress Masako has been involved in a variety of activities, caring for children in difficult circumstances, including those who are at a economical disadvantage. However, a shocking incident occurred.
On May 14, Machida Police of Tokyo PD arrested Masao Iida, 66, director of a child care home “Fukuin Ryo”, on suspicion of violating the Child Prostitution and Pornography Law. The suspect is alleged to have committed indecent acts on two occasions in August and September last year against a then 17-year-old girl he met on a dating app, who he knew was under 18, by promising to pay a total of 25,000 yen at a hotel in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Empress Masako often visited facilities run by Fukuin Ryo, of which the suspect Iida was the president.
In November 2002, October 2006 and June 2016, when she was Crown Princess, she visited children’s homes and other facilities run by Fukuin Ryo. Even though she was not in good health during her medical treatment, she was eager to visit the children in order to be close to them.
According to the Imperial Household reporter, after 2016, Empress Masako continued to encourage the children and staff by sending sweets, flowers and other gifts to the institution. Although she wasn’t feeling well during her visits in 2006 and 2016, she must have had a strong desire to continue her interaction with the children and staff, even if it was a private visit. The suspect, Iida, was appointed head of the facility in July 2022 and was one of the representatives of the facility, welcoming Empress Masako and attending to her interaction with the children.
Reflecting on Empress Masako’s visit in 2019, when the Emperor acceded to the throne, the suspect Iida said that on her visit in 2016, alumni who had met her ten years earlier also returned, saying they would love to meet her, and all reminisced with smiles on their faces. The Empress has been sincerely supporting the children who cannot live with their parents due to their own circumstances. She also gave encouragement to the staff running the facility, and we were very touched by her.
While the suspect partially denies the charges, saying that he wasn’t told she was under 18, the girl told the suspect her actual age when she met him, and there are differences in their statements. Under the Law, a person who engages in child prostitution is liable to imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to three million yen.
Now that the incident have occurred, it will be difficult for the Empress to visit and interact with the children in the future.
How sad and painful it must be for the Empress, who has always wished for the lives and peace of mind of the children.
