Anime Composer Hidekazu Tanaka Arrested on Suspicion of Indecent Assault
Content Warning: Sexual assault against minors is discussed in the following article.
The Japanese national broadcaster NHK and news outlet KAI-YOU reported today that anime and video game composer Hidezaku Tanaka was arrested on October 24 on suspicion of indecent assault on a female minor at a parking lot in the Meguro ward on August 20, 2022.
Tanaka is best known for creating the background music for THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS and Wake Up! Girls, as well as arranging the music for anime openings such as the current Japanese Pokémon anime theme “1, 2, 3,” Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki’s opening theme “Jinsei Easy?,” and Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!’s second season opening theme “Ichigo Ichie Celebration.”
In a statement from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Tanaka is alleged to have followed a minor from a train station in Meguro ward in Tokyo, calling out to her with indecent language and then forcibly pulling on her hand. Police state the girl then went to the police box and reported the incident, where the Metropolitan Police Department opened up an investigation.
During the investigation, police found security camera footage of Tanaka allegedly following the girl from the train station.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is still investigating additional details of the incident.
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Daryl Harding is a Senior Japan Correspondent for Crunchyroll News. He also runs a YouTube channel about Japan stuff called TheDoctorDazza, tweets at @DoctorDazza, and posts photos of his travels on Instagram.
