Ahh, Japan!

Man faces charges for trying to buy schoolgirl’s panties
11:03am Wednesday, October 5

A man faces charges for tracking a schoolgirl on the street while in his company car and pestering her to sell him her panties, prosecutors said. The 24-year-old man, whose name has not been released, has been reported to the Yokosuka Branch of the Yokohama District Public Prosecutors Office, where he faces a charge of breaking a Kanagawa Prefectural Government ordinance aimed at providing youth with a wholesome upbringing.

The man has the dubious honor of being the first person to be reported to prosecutors since the ordinance was expanded in July to outlaw even the encouragement of used underwear purchases. He admits to the allegations against him.

“I had no idea what I was doing was a crime. They were wearing really short skirts and I got all excited. I didn’t want new panties, I wanted used ones,” the man told prosecutors. He used phrases like, “Your skirt is caught up. I’ll buy your panties for 1,000 yen and your bra for 500 yen. Sell ‘em to me,” police said.

The Kanagawa ordinance has since July forbidden the sale of, or encouragement to sell, used underwear belonging to under18s that contains traces of feces, urine, saliva or other bodily fluids.

I wonder if the “she looked 18!” defense will work.

Ten more weeks until I return to Japan. I can’t wait.