Press Conference: Rina Gonoi, Former member of the Ground Self-Defense Forces

PRESS CONFERENCE
Settlement in Sexual Harassment Case at Japan's Army
Rina Gonoi, Former member of the Ground Self-Defense Forces
Emi Torii and Aiko Ohta, Attorney at Law

14:00-15:00 Monday, January 26, 2025
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

The Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan invites members and journalists to a press conference by Rina Gonoi, a former soldier in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force who has pursued criminal and civil justice against colleagues whom she claims sexually harassed her. She will speak after reaching a settlement that is expected to be finalized on the same day.

It has been a long road for Gonoi since going public in August 2022 with claims that five male colleagues verbally and physically harassed her between 2020-21. In December 2023, the Fukushima District Court found three defendants guilty of "forced indecency" and sentenced them to two years in prison, suspended for four years. The defense ministry also issued an apology, and a subsequent investigation uncovered 1,325 incidences of sexual harassment and bullying targeting women and men.

Following her final court appearance, Gonoi will discuss the settlement and share her thoughts and reflections on her four-year journey to justice. She will be joined by her attorneys.

How to attend: 
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live  

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/eyUDMAu8qeNGnoxJ9

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference.

Professional Activities Committee