Japanese Actor Kenji Haga Arrested on Suspicion of Indecent Assault
Kenji Haga, a 64-year-old Japanese actor, has been arrested for the fourth time, this time on suspicion of indecently assaulting two women. According to reports from Yahoo! News Taiwan, the incident occurred on the evening of March 27, 2024, during a dinner gathering in Okinawa.
Police confirmed that Haga, whose real name is Miyio Tokuma, allegedly touched the bodies of two women, ages 30 and 50, without their consent and kissed one of them. The 50-year-old victim filed a report with the police in August 2024, leading to the arrest. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether Haga has admitted to the allegations to avoid impacting the ongoing investigation.
Haga, a mixed-race actor who debuted in 1981, gained prominence for his perform in Japanese dramas and music. He was previously involved in a high-profile relationship with model Anna Umemiya in the 1990s, despite opposition from her father, veteran actor Mitsuo Umemiya. The couple even collaborated on a nude photoshoot before ultimately separating in 1999.
Still, Haga’s career has been repeatedly marred by controversy. In 2007, he was implicated in a fraud scheme involving pre-IPO shares of a medical company, alongside former boxing champion Hiroshi Watanabe. They allegedly concealed the original price of the shares and sold them at inflated prices, defrauding investors of approximately 370 million yen. He was later sentenced to six years in prison in 2013 after being found guilty of fraud and intimidation related to the case.
This latest arrest comes 19 years after his third and adds another layer to a career consistently shadowed by legal troubles. The incident is drawing renewed attention to the actor’s past offenses and raising questions about his future in the entertainment industry.
In a separate report from January 31, 2025, Nikkan Sports detailed Haga’s reflections on a previous arrest in September 2024, from which he was later released without charges. He expressed remorse and a desire to “correct his course” and regain the trust of his fans, stating, “I seek to work hard again, making sure not to cause anyone trouble.” He also acknowledged the pain caused to his daughters and supporters by the media coverage.
The actor’s history of legal issues has made him a controversial figure in Japanese entertainment, and this latest incident is likely to further fuel public debate.
An Instagram post highlights Haga’s long history of negative publicity, including allegations of fraud, threats, and sexual assault.
