PRESS CONFERENCE
Rina Gonoi, Former member of the Ground Self-Defense Forces

10:00-11:00 Wednesday, December 13, 2023
(The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation)

Reaction to verdict in alleged sexual assault by Self-Defense Forces personnel

The verdict in the alleged sexual assault of then Self-Defense Forces member Rina Gonoi by three former colleagues will be handed down by the Fukushima District Court on December 12. She alleges that the three men forced themselves upon her and assaulted her. The accused have denied the allegations but were dishonorably discharged from the Self-Defense Forces. Gonoi has also since left the SDF. Her case prompted a Defense Ministry inquiry last year that found more than 1,400 cases of sexual and other forms of harassment. Gonoi was named one of 100 Women for 2023 by the BBC for speaking out about abuse. 

How to attend
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding. 

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live 
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel. 

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/wzz1hUUJtYBLCmzh9 
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.

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