PRESS CONFERENCE
Rape Allegations at Japan's Catholic Church
Tokie Tanaka
Kazue Akita, Attorney at Law
14:30-15:30 Friday, May 2, 2025
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.
Tokie Tanaka, a 63-year-old nurse, is suing the Catholic church in Japan over its response to her allegations that a priest raped her during confession. After reporting the incident, Tanaka says the church took inadequate action, punishing the priest with a mere three-year suspension. One of those whom she accuses of failing to respond is Cardinal Isao Kikuchi, the Archbishop of Tokyo, who is currently in the Conclave at the Vatican selecting the next Pope.
Tanaka and her lawyer will hold a press conference to discuss her lawsuit and accusations that Cardinal Kikuchi and other church leaders failed to act on her behalf.
How to attend:
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in and giving your name and contact details at the reception.
How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live
How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/fwTMmD6gbsMn5oXu9
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event.
Professional Activities Committee