Tokyo court awards damages to female journalist in rape case www.latimes.com

A Tokyo court awarded damages to a freelance journalist Wednesday in a high-profile rape case that involves an attacker known for his close ties with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his ultraconservative supporters.
The Tokyo District Court ordered former television newsman Noriyuki Yamaguchi to pay $30,150 to freelance journalist Shiori Ito for physical and psychological pain resulting from his alleged sexual assault.
In Ito’s case, ultraconservative supporters came to Yamaguchi’s defense.
Ito and her supporters said they hope her victory would be a step toward promoting awareness in a society where sexual victims like her wouldn’t have to feel intimidated and isolated.
Ito said that after she became dizzy and passed out in a restroom, Yamaguchi took her to his hotel room and raped her in April 2015 while she was incapacitated.