Super Free
Encyclopedia
or its shortened form was an inter-university rave event club, mainly comprising students of Waseda University
, The leader of the club along with various students from Waseda and other universities in Tokyo was arrested and convicted for rape and subsequently, the club was dubbed by several English media outlets as a "rape club". Its leader was , a Japanese citizen of Korean descent who acquired Japanese name and nationality by naturalization . They were convicted of raping three women, but the real number of victims is unknown. Since their arrests, and the club's dissolution, twelve other women have been identified as victims. The club was also incorporated as .
Super Free was established as a university social club in 1982. Wada was a student at Waseda University before being arrested. He entered the Waseda University in 1994 and became the organizer of "Super Free" in 1995. It had 14 members as of 2003. Super Free was a highly successful inter university rave event club, to the point that it was incorporated, having 5 branch nationwide, 30 odd employees and a office in Roppongi. According to the indictment, the club organized parties and social gatherings at a public night-club in Roppongi
. The members of Super Free would scout for potential victims among the public, and befriend them offering drinks. Once their victims were intoxicated and incapable of resisting, they would lure them to an abandoned room. Wada was arrested on June 9, 2003. His circle's 13 other current members were also arrested for gang rape. Super Free was dissolved on June 22, 2003.
Wada was indicted for three counts of rape. On November 2, 2004, the Tokyo District Court
sentenced him to 14 years in prison, a comparatively heavy sentence under Japan's postwar sentencing guidelines. He appealed for the verdict. On June 2, 2005, the Tokyo High Court
rejected the appeal and upheld the original sentence. On November 1, 2005, the Supreme Court of Japan
followed suit.
After their arrest, a statute for the prosecution of gang rape was established under the Criminal Code of Japan
. In January 2006, three students in Kyoto University
were arrested for gang rape under this penal code.
Seiichi Ota
, a Japanese cabinet minister, was heavily criticized after he issued a statement regarding the case, "At least gang rapists are still vigorous. Isn't that at least a little closer to normal?" on June 26, 2003. He later reported that his statement was taken out of context, and that he didn't have the chance to further comment on the topic.
Then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda
was reported to have made highly controversial comments during an off-the-record discussion with reporters in June 2003 regarding the victims of rape by the members of Super Free, according to an article in the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun. The magazine quoted Fukuda as saying: "There are women who look like they are saying 'Do it to me'. Those who have that kind of appearance are at fault, because men are black panthers." In response, Fukuda claimed that the Shukan Bunshun had distorted his comments, stating that he had never intended to defend rape, and told a parliamentary panel afterwards that rape was "a criminal act and an atrocious crime".
Waseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
, The leader of the club along with various students from Waseda and other universities in Tokyo was arrested and convicted for rape and subsequently, the club was dubbed by several English media outlets as a "rape club". Its leader was , a Japanese citizen of Korean descent who acquired Japanese name and nationality by naturalization . They were convicted of raping three women, but the real number of victims is unknown. Since their arrests, and the club's dissolution, twelve other women have been identified as victims. The club was also incorporated as .
Super Free was established as a university social club in 1982. Wada was a student at Waseda University before being arrested. He entered the Waseda University in 1994 and became the organizer of "Super Free" in 1995. It had 14 members as of 2003. Super Free was a highly successful inter university rave event club, to the point that it was incorporated, having 5 branch nationwide, 30 odd employees and a office in Roppongi. According to the indictment, the club organized parties and social gatherings at a public night-club in Roppongi
Roppongi
is a district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, famous as home to the rich Roppongi Hills area and an active night club scene. Many foreign embassies are located in Roppongi, and the night life is popular with locals and foreigners alike...
. The members of Super Free would scout for potential victims among the public, and befriend them offering drinks. Once their victims were intoxicated and incapable of resisting, they would lure them to an abandoned room. Wada was arrested on June 9, 2003. His circle's 13 other current members were also arrested for gang rape. Super Free was dissolved on June 22, 2003.
Wada was indicted for three counts of rape. On November 2, 2004, the Tokyo District Court
Tokyo District Court
is a district court located at 1-1-4 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. -References:...
sentenced him to 14 years in prison, a comparatively heavy sentence under Japan's postwar sentencing guidelines. He appealed for the verdict. On June 2, 2005, the Tokyo High Court
Tokyo High Court
is a high court in Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The Intellectual Property High Court is a special branch of Tokyo High Court....
rejected the appeal and upheld the original sentence. On November 1, 2005, the Supreme Court of Japan
Supreme Court of Japan
The Supreme Court of Japan , located in Chiyoda, Tokyo is the highest court in Japan. It has ultimate judicial authority to interpret the Japanese constitution and decide questions of national law...
followed suit.
After their arrest, a statute for the prosecution of gang rape was established under the Criminal Code of Japan
Criminal Code of Japan
The Penal Code of Japan was passed in 1907 as Law No. 45. It is one of the Six Codes that form the foundation of Japanese law.- External links :* - Japanese Ministry of Justice...
. In January 2006, three students in Kyoto University
Kyoto University
, or is a national university located in Kyoto, Japan. It is the second oldest Japanese university, and formerly one of Japan's Imperial Universities.- History :...
were arrested for gang rape under this penal code.
Seiichi Ota
Seiichi Ota
is a Japanese politician. As of 2008 he is a member of the House of Representatives currently serving in his eighth term representing Fukuoka's Third District. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party in the Koga faction. Kiyoko Fukuda, who married Prime Minister of Japan Yasuo Fukuda, is...
, a Japanese cabinet minister, was heavily criticized after he issued a statement regarding the case, "At least gang rapists are still vigorous. Isn't that at least a little closer to normal?" on June 26, 2003. He later reported that his statement was taken out of context, and that he didn't have the chance to further comment on the topic.
Then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda
Yasuo Fukuda
was the 91st Prime Minister of Japan, serving from 2007 to 2008. He was previously the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, serving for three and a half years under Prime Ministers Yoshirō Mori and Junichiro Koizumi....
was reported to have made highly controversial comments during an off-the-record discussion with reporters in June 2003 regarding the victims of rape by the members of Super Free, according to an article in the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun. The magazine quoted Fukuda as saying: "There are women who look like they are saying 'Do it to me'. Those who have that kind of appearance are at fault, because men are black panthers." In response, Fukuda claimed that the Shukan Bunshun had distorted his comments, stating that he had never intended to defend rape, and told a parliamentary panel afterwards that rape was "a criminal act and an atrocious crime".