He apologized to the alleged victim.
Koreaboo
9 minutes ago
The start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is just days away, leaving the internet buzzing.
The first matches are scheduled for June 11, taking place in the host countries of Mexico, Canada, and the United States, with many of the 48 teams already on the road. Several have already landed in the host country where their first match will take place.
| FIFA
However, amid the excitement, the arrest of a team’s player has resurfaced.
The Japan National Team has been a force in the sport since it was fully professionalized, has attended every World Cup since 1998, and is currently the highest-ranked Asian team.
Japan National Team | Eugene Hoshiko/AP
Many players have been called up from foreign club teams, including Kaishu Sano, who signed with German club MAINZ 05 in July 2024.
Kaishu Sano | MAINZ 05
Just days after his signing, it was reported that Sano was arrested alongside two other men on accusations of sexual assault. According to Tokyo Police, the three men ate with the alleged victim and her female friend in Tokyo’s Minato Ward before the friend left.
The sexual assault then allegedly occurred at a hotel in another ward, with the victim reporting the incident immediately after. The three were on the street near the hotel and taken into custody.
| Masahiko Ikeuchi
Sano was released from custody on July 29, and after a reported settlement with the victim, the case was dropped. Along with a formal apology through his agency, in which he offered a ‘sincere apology to the victim for my actions that caused great trouble,’ Sano personally apologized after being selected for the national team in 2025.
This was recently shared online, where netizens have weight in their thoughts.
A man who participated in a gang rape has been selected for the Japanese national team for the World Cup. In Japan, it is practically impossible for victims of sexual assault to go to court, and they are forced to settle out of necessity.#WorldCup#KaisyuSano pic.twitter.com/VN1RO91n60
— Kiki (@olL9DMTFnySTZhZ) June 4, 2026
I feel so bad for the victim. Not only is he not in jail, but he’s also representing his country. https://t.co/ahskFANXNP
— Afra ❄️ (@Gear5Jude) June 4, 2026
disgusting https://t.co/e3Gqr8dzZ9
— 🙂 (@helloarchivee) June 4, 2026