In a shocking turn of events, Inspector Minoru Umekawa, the Deputy Chief of Niigata Prefectural Police's Organized Crime Countermeasures Division, has been arrested on allegations of molesting an intoxicated woman. The 55-year-old officer was taken into custody on October 11, 2023.

Details regarding Umekawa's response to the allegations remain undisclosed.

According to the official statement from Niigata Prefectural Police, the incident occurred on the night of October 6th when Umekawa allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct without the woman's consent. Following his return to duty on October 10th, he was arrested later that evening. The victim bravely reported the incident on October 7th, leading to the startling discovery.

In a press conference, Chief Inspector Yasushi Komori refrained from divulging specific details concerning the location, the relationship between Umekawa and the woman, or the presence of any other individuals, citing concerns about the ongoing investigation.

Umekawa, with a career dating back to his hiring in April 1986, served as the second-in-command at the Organized Crime Countermeasures Division, overseeing subordinates. Chief Inspector Komori expressed deep regret, stating, "It is truly regrettable that a senior police officer finds himself in this situation. We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring a stringent response based on the facts."

This scandal has sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about the integrity of law enforcement in Niigata. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge.