Rina Gonoi, the previous soldier who was sexually assaulted whereas serving in Japan’s Self-Protection Forces (SDF), has reached a settlement with two remaining defendants – the state and an ex-colleague.
Her lawyer mentioned on Monday that Gonoi will obtain 1.6 million yen ($10,400; £7,600) from the Japanese authorities, however no compensation or apology from the previous colleague.
It marks the top of Gonoi’s civil lawsuit in opposition to 5 ex-soldiers and the federal government in a case that has drawn worldwide consideration. She reached settlements with 4 of the 5 earlier.
A 2023 ruling in a separate criminal case discovered three of the ex-soldiers responsible of sexually assault.
Gonoi’s case was a landmark one in Japan, the place it’s uncommon for victims of sexual violence to talk out. She put her story on YouTube in 2022.
However public discussions about sexual violence have elevated in recent times, following high-profile circumstances like journalist Shiori Ito’s court battle against her alleged rapist and the expose of J-pop giant Johnny Kitagawa.
Gonoi mentioned at a press convention on Monday that she skilled a “very lengthy and heavy time” since talking out greater than 4 years in the past.
“Throughout these 4.5 years I got here to know first-hand simply how heavy the load of talking up is,” she mentioned.
“Even so, I didn’t remorse talking out,” she added.
Earlier this month, the 26-year-old wrote on X that her years-long authorized battle had “come to an finish” and thanked everybody who had supported her in the course of the journey.
Gonoi had sought 5.5 million yen ($40,000; £32,000) in damages from the boys for inflicting her psychological misery, and a further 2 million yen from the state for its failure to stop abuse.
Warning: This text accommodates graphic descriptions of sexual assault
In 2022, Gonoi posted a video on YouTube that garnered consideration each in Japan and overseas.
She alleged that in 2021, three of her male colleagues had pinned her down and pressed their crotches in opposition to her. She mentioned her complaints to her superiors had been dismissed.
As Gonoi’s story went viral, greater than 100,000 folks signed a petition calling for the defence ministry to research her allegations of sexual violence throughout her time in service.
The case additionally prompted a sweeping investigation into the ranks of the SDF, the place defence ministry officers uncovered greater than 1,000 different experiences of sexual harassment.
Her three attackers had been convicted of sexual assault and handed two-year jail sentences in 2023. However the sentences had been suspended for 4 years, which implies they didn’t really need to serve time in jail.
