Japan's police have adopted new advancements in technology to prosecute men who drug women for purposes of rape.
As reported in the Sankei Shimbun (April 26), the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has been working with a private company to develop a test kit that will enable rapid identification of so-called date rape drugs.
The new device -- which has been designated "D1D plus" -- is capable of displaying test results from a urine specimen within minutes.
D1D plus takes its name from MPD Investigation Section 1, which undertook the kit's development project two years ago in response to crimes involving date rape drugs (DD).
The new test kit has resulted in at least one arrest so far. On March 15, Ikebukuro police arrested Takanori Matsumiya, 34, an employee at a cabaret club in Ikebukuro, on suspicion of "quasi-forcible indecent assault."
At his apartment on the night of March 8, Matsumiya allegedly indecently assaulted a minor female co-worker by inducing her to imbibe a sports drink that had been laced with a powerful sleeping medication, rendering her unconscious.
The teen, however, managed to recall being subjected to an indecent act and consulted the Ikebukuro police department the next day.
The newly developed D1D plus was utilized for the test. It detected the sleeping medication from a urine specimen, leading to Matsumiya's arrest.
According National Police Agency figures, the number of arrests for sex crimes involving use of sleep medications began increasing some years ago. Cases jumped five-fold, from 17 in 2012 to 85 in 2005, and since 2006 the number has ranged between 43 to 60 per year.
Police, however, believe many more incidents have gone unreported due to various factors, including the lengthy time required to obtain the test results.
In 2021, the MPD commissioned a private company to develop the new system, and last December some police stations began its provisional use.
D1D can determine the presence and type of date rape drugs in a matter of minutes --- far more rapid than previous methods utilized by the police, which required between one week to one month to complete laboratory testing.
What's more, D1D is capable of differentiating between types of medications, so if a victim had already been taking prescribed sleeping pills on a daily basis, distinctions could still be made between that medication and a date rape drug. Thus the new kit will not only accelerate initial investigations, but is expected to make it possible for police to proceed with investigations that had been previously hindered due to the mixing of two different drugs.
Police have also pointed out that some victims of sex crimes had been hesitant to file complaints because they were uncertain whether or not they had been drugged. The quick response afforded by D1D plus is expected to provide appropriate support for victims who harbor such concerns.
As of April 25, D1D plus kits had been distributed to police stations nationwide, with the exception of five remote offshore islands.
"There may be those who are not sure if they had only been drinking too much, or if they are drug victims," an investigator from Investigation Section 1 told the media. "We would like anyone who is worried to consult with us at any time. "
The MPD has set up a dedicated hotline number -- #8103 (haatosan) -- for those concerned they have fallen victim to a sex crime.
16 Comments
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NCIS Reruns
"Quasi-forcible indecent assault," -- 準強制わいせつ in Japanese -- is an awkward legal term that one is unlikely to see in the subtitles of US TV programs like Law & Order S.U.V.
Japanese does have a perfectly straightforward word for "rape" -- 強姦 (goukan) -- but in the vernacular media it finds far less use than the English reepu.
Recently NHK broadcast a documentary about the mistreatment meted out to German civilians by allied nations' soldiers and civilians at the end of WW2, and goukan was used repeatedly. But in NHK's reporting of domestic news the term is rarely used. One can probably conclude that "reepu" and "gokan" are only warranted when neither the perpetrator nor the victim are non-Japanese. This is yet another example of how separate terms are applied by the media here for what is essentially the same thing.
NCIS Reruns
sorry, that should have been
One can probably conclude that "reepu" and "gokan" are only warranted when neither the perpetrator nor the victim are Japanese.
1glenn
This new device is good, but I would like to see a simple and cheap method for women to test their drinks before they imbibe. I read somewhere that in some countries up to ten percent of women had been drugged with date-rape drugs. Things have changed from when I was dating!
On a different note, I remember going into country-western bars and there would be more women than men!
falseflagsteve
1glenn
10%! If that’s correct it’s indeed horrifying.
starpunk
It is. That's how Bill Cosby did it to at least 60 women.
1glenn
The website YouGov says that 10% of British young women reported being personally drugged. I have no personal experience with this, but it sounds like it has become a terrible and widespread problem.
Septim Dynasty
It's sad that Japan's rape epidemic is greatly understated and hidden from the general public. Japan's so-called low crime rate is probably a sham!
Jonathan Prin
I wonder how then you can tell if it was real or note. You judt take the drugs and say you have been drugged...
The proof is about rape, not drug which is judt the mean (could be a knife, a situation or just threats...).
And it is true you should also then test alcohol level.
If any doubt, go away isnmy somple advice.
Know people before.
virusrex
And what purpose would that bring? the victim making herself unable to do anything?
Precisely because drugs and alcohol become the means to rape is why testing is so important. If a person becomes unable to validly consent to have sex then the person that still did it committed rape. Testing for drugs or alcohol is done to prove the person was unable to give consent
Advice for whom? the victim is not able to simply go away after getting drugged, and the perpetrator obviously is trying to have sex even if it means breaking the law (not to mention seriously hurt the victim) do you think this advice would change these intentions?
MiuraAnjin
I hope this will not be the exclusive use for these kits. Recently plenty of men have been waking up on Shinjuku streets with no recollection of much of the previous night (and no wallet).
Sven Asai
If the youngsters think they can’t handle night life and new unknown relationships and need such tools, then they probably better should quickly go home into their children’s room and read some fairytale books or play with puppets or model cars. The world is bad and the night is dark, you surely won’t change that with a few urine test kits.
timeon
This is one thing I can't understand: if a girl comes to your place for drinks, juts be patient, talk smoothly, play some nice music and have some drinks, there is a great chance to get lucky. How does one ever think it may be a good idea to drug and rape her, with a good chance of ending in jail and throwing away your life and future??
Baradzed
One more reason to favor drinking outdoors near combini.
kaimycahl
What about Weinstein? If you want to use examples?
starpunkApr. 30 03:04 am JST
It is. That's how Bill Cosby did it to at least 60 women.
garypen
Hey moderator: FYI
Moderator: Thank you.
garypen
This sounds like a welcome tool in the prosecution of rapists. But, a tool for prevention that potential victims can use to test their drinks, might be even more welcome.