Kazuhiro Kusayanagi was arrested in Tokyo last week over an incident that reportedly occurred in September of 2018.
[CW: The following article includes reporting of a sexual assault involving a minor]
According to TBS News (via Tokyo Reporter) Kazuhiro Kusayanagi – a veteran of Japan’s early MMA scene – has been arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police under suspicion of having paid a child for sex.
TR claims that the 52-year-old is accused of paying 20,000 yen ($185 USD) in cash to a 14-year-old to, “engage in acts deemed obscene at a hotel in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture” last September. Kusayanagi is also accused of knowing the girl was underage when engaging in this activity.
Kusayanagi was reportedly quoted as saying, “I like young girls. I’ve done this with two or three other girls,” while being questioned at a police station in Nakano City, Tokyo.
Police allege that Kusayanagi first met the 14-year-old through a social-networking site and that he used that site to find opportunities for what Japanese outlets are calling ‘compensated dating.’
A month after the incident reportedly took place, a division from Tokyo police’s cyber patrol took the girl into protective custody. It was then that Kusayanagi’s name surfaced and became part of their investigation.
Kusayanagi is currently reported to be the owner of a martial arts gym in Machida City. As an MMA fighter he competed almost exclusively in the Shooto promotion between 1989 and 1998. Over that time he amassed a professional record 9-17-3.
Kusayanagi also competed in Vale Tudo Japan 1994 and the Lumax Cup in 1994 and 1995. Notable opponents on Kusayanagi’s record include Yuki Sasaki, Akihiro Gono, Yuki Nakai, and Carlos Newton.
Survivors of sexual assault can find support via the following organizations:
US – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)’s National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). RAINN also has an online chat service.
Love is Respect, 1-866-331-9474. They can also be reached via online chat or by texting LOVEIS to 22522.
End Rape on Campus (EROC), 1-424-777-EROC (3762).
Canada – Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, 1-877-232-2610.
UK – UK Says No More.
Rest of the World – International Rape Crisis Hotlines.