Super Free

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Super Free (スーパーフリー Sūpā-furī?) or its shortened form Sūfuri (スーフリ?), was a Japanese notorious rape organization. They also administered Yugen kaisha Super Free (有限会社スーパーフリー?). Its leader was Shinichiro Wada (和田 真一郎 Wada Shin'ichirō?, born July 30, 1974 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture). They were convicted of three rapes, but the real estimated number was over 500.[1]

Super Free was established as a small club in 1982, but it became a big organization, getting members across Tokyo. Wada was a student at Waseda University before being arrested.[2] He entered the Waseda University in 1994 and became the organizer of "Super Free" in 1995. Up to 2,000 people attended events which were planned by his circle.[3]

Super Free was nominally an event-planning club, but in reality it was a rape club, according to witnesses.[4] Wada was arrested on June 9, 2003. He was suspected of having raped up to 500 young women.[5] His circle's 13 other members were also arrested for gang rapes.[3] Super Free was dissolved on June 22, 2003.

Several prominent Japanese politicians appeared to make statements excusing the rapes. Seiichi Ota, a Japanese former cabinet minister, said "At least gang rapists are still vigorous. Isn't that at least a little closer to normal?" on June 26, 2003.[6] Yasuo Fukuda, the current Prime Minister of Japan, was reported to say "The problem is that there are lots of women dressed provocatively."[7]

Wada was indicted for only three rapes. On November 2, 2004, the district court sentenced him to 14 years in prison. On June 2, 2005, the high court upheld the original sentence. On November 1, 2005, the Supreme Court of Justice upheld the original sentence.

After their arrest, the penalty for gang rapes was established. In January 2006, three students in Kyoto University were arrested for gang rapes under this penal code.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Paul Steel (2006-11-19). Secondary Victimization in Japan. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
  2. ^ "Revealed: the workings of a uni rape club", The Age, 2003-07-05. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  3. ^ a b "Gang rape club lured Tokyo girls", The Age, 2004-11-04. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  4. ^ "Gang rape spotlights dirty deeds at Waseda campus", Japan Today, 2003-07-01. Retrieved on 2008-04-08. 
  5. ^ "Student rape mastermind jailed", Telegraph, 2004-11-03. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  6. ^ A Public Betrayed: An Inside Look at Japanese Media Atrocities and Their Warnings to the West, p. 340, 2004, ISBN 0895260468
  7. ^ "Rape Debate In Japan", CBS, 2003-09-02. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  8. ^ "Kyoto University trio held in suspected gang rapes", The Japan Times, 2006-01-27. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 

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