Anime music composer Yuya Saito was arrested on October 16 in Tokyo as he was allegedly taking illicit footage of a junior high school girl.
Saito was arrested by a Metropolitan Police Department officer who caught him doing so at a train station in Tokyo.
This is the latest anime industry figure who has been arrested for a similar charge, prompting a renewed discussion among anime fans about questionable creators.
Anime Composer Yuya Saito Arrested for Alleged Voyeurism
Yuya Saito is a veteran music composer who has worked on a wide range of anime projects over the years.
Saito is perhaps best known for his work on music for titles like Kantai Collection, Mirai no Tomodachi, and Smile Pretty Cure.
Aside from his anime-related works, Saito has also produced music for SEGA’s popular Like a Dragon video game series. He has also produced songs for the popular girl group Momoiro Clover Z.
Saito made headlines recently as he was arrested for alleged voyeurism. This was reported this week by several Japanese publications.
According to a report by TBS News, a Metropolitan Police Department officer arrested Saito after spotting him allegedly recording an upskirt video of a junior high school girl at JR Akabane station.
Saito is suspected to have used a camera that was disguised as a mobile charging bank. The officer arrested him after spotting the disguised camera poking out of the composer's bag.
Following his arrest, Saito reportedly admitted to the act, stating that he did this as he “wanted to relieve stress.”
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Not the First Time This Happened to Someone in the Industry
Saito’s arrest resulted in a renewed discussion online about similar cases in the industry.
In a recent Reddit thread about the arrest, some recalled Act-Age creator Tatsuya Matsuki’s arrest and subsequent sentencing after a sexual harassment charge.
Similarly, others recalled Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of the Rurouni Kenshin manga, who was fined for child pornography possession in 2017.
These cases aren’t limited to the anime and manga industry.
Japan’s entertainment sector has also been under scrutiny as the talent agency Johnny & Associates has been embroiled in sexual abuse scandals due to the actions of its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa.
For now, there is no update yet on the status of Yuya Saito following his arrest in Tokyo.
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Source: TBS News via Crunchyroll
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