Gifu police arrested a 25-year-old police officer on Thursday for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 16.

The suspect, Haruki Takeyama from the city of Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, who serves in the community affairs division of Kakamigahara Police Station, admitted to the allegations, according to investigators.

The arrest stems from an incident on July 17 last year when Takeyama — then a police academy student — allegedly had sexual intercourse with an underage girl at a hotel in the town of Ginan while being fully aware of her age. It is also alleged that he recorded the incident on his smartphone.

Authorities indicated that the two had no prior acquaintance.

In September of this year, information regarding another incident of inappropriate conduct involving Takeyama was submitted by a third party, prompting an investigation. A search of his smartphone uncovered video footage from the day of the alleged 2023 incident. The police are currently looking into how the two individuals met.

"This is an outrageous act that should never involve police officers. It is extremely shameful," Chief Inspector Tatsuami Goto said. "We will take strict measures based on the results of the investigation."

Translated by The Japan Times