Former Japanese Swim Coach Arrested Three Times Over Molestation Allegations
A 44-year-old instructor faces multiple charges involving young swimmers in Makinohara City.
1Third Arrest Confirmed
A 44-year-old former swimming coach in Makinohara City has been arrested for the third time following new allegations of molestation. Police have received nine reports regarding similar incidents involving young swimmers. This latest arrest specifically concerns an alleged act of forcible molestation that reportedly took place in May 2023.
2Escalating Legal Charges
The suspect was first arrested on September 28, 2025, for an incident occurring in late June. A second arrest followed on October 19 regarding a different victim. While the man initially admitted to the charges during his first arrest, he has since shifted his stance, denying any intentional misconduct in subsequent cases.
3Modus Operandi Revealed
Investigators suspect the coach targeted victims while teaching multiple students simultaneously. He allegedly pulled individual girls aside to the side of the pool to commit acts of inappropriate physical contact. These incidents reportedly occurred during regular swimming lessons, exploiting his position of authority over children who were aged ten or under.
4School Investigation Failures
In June, the swim school received reports of potential misconduct from Makinohara City officials. Despite conducting an internal investigation, the school failed to confirm any victims at the time, as all instructors denied the claims. The suspect had been employed as a part-time instructor at the facility since the year 2019.
5Impact on Public Schools
The swim school held a contract with Makinohara City to provide lessons at Haibara Municipal Junior High School. Between July and September, the suspect taught four sessions for middle school students. However, the local Board of Education stated that as of October 5, no reports of molestation emerged from these specific outsourced classes.
6Parental Concerns and Reports
During a parent meeting, one family reported their child had been a victim of inappropriate touching. Initially, the parents dismissed the child's comments as a potential accident. Once the broader allegations became public, they expressed deep concern that the coach may have victimized numerous other children during his tenure at the school.
7Institutional Policy Changes
In response to the ongoing controversy, the swim school has announced plans to overhaul its safety protocols. Management intends to strengthen background checks during the hiring process and re-evaluate rules regarding physical contact between instructors and students. Additionally, the school aims to increase the total number of female instructors on staff.
8Broader Implications of Case
This case highlights significant vulnerabilities in the oversight of youth sports programs. The repeated arrests underscore the difficulty of identifying abuse within supervised environments. As legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the nine reported incidents and the potential for further victims to come forward regarding the coach's past activities.