SINGAPORE: A Singapore diplomat was fined 300,000 yen (US$1,908) on Thursday (Jun 13) by a court in Japan after filming a naked boy in a public bath in Tokyo, Kyodo news agency reported.
The 55-year-old man, identified as Sim Siong Chye by Japanese broadcaster NHK, was indicted on charges of trespassing and violating the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Anti-Nuisance Ordinance.
Earlier on Thursday, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told CNA that the officer did not have diplomatic immunity because his posting had ended as scheduled in mid-April this year.
The man was a former counsellor at the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo. A counsellor is a diplomatic rank for officers serving overseas, such as in an embassy. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a diplomat cannot be arrested.
Following reports that the officer had been fined by Japan authorities, MFA said in response to CNA queries on Thursday evening that it has begun disciplinary proceedings.
“We understand that the officer has been dealt with in accordance with Japanese law and we respect the decision by the Japanese authorities.
“MFA takes a serious view of any misconduct by our officers and has commenced disciplinary proceedings,” said the ministry. It did not elaborate further on these proceedings.
“INTERESTED IN BATHS”
Japanese media reported on Thursday morning that the man had returned to Japan for questioning by the police.
He arrived in Japan on Jun 9 following a request made by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department through Japan’s Foreign Ministry, reported the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
Yomiuri Shimbun said that the man had admitted to taking the photos, saying: “I was unable to control my desires when I saw a man naked.”
“I took 20 to 30 (photos) myself,” Asahi quoted him as saying, adding: “I was surprised by the Japanese public bath culture and became interested in baths.”
MFA said in a statement earlier on Thursday that the officer “chose to return to Japan to cooperate with investigations” upon request by the Japanese authorities.
“The Singapore Embassy in Tokyo has engaged with the Japanese authorities to facilitate the ongoing investigations. We should wait for the outcome of these investigations,” it added.
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