HK firefighter arrested over Tokyo toilet sex-attack claim

A 30-year-old Hong Kong firefighter was arrested by Japanese police three days after he allegedly raped a young Japanese woman when he asked for directions and dragged her to a restaurant toilet.

He was on holiday in Tokyo with his wife.

The suspect, identified as Wong Yiu-tak, was checking out of the hotel with his wife on Wednesday when police arrested him after viewing surveillance camera footage, hours before he was to fly back to Hong Kong.

Sources said Wong is an acting station officer at Wong Tai Sin Fire Station.

He graduated from Education University with a bachelor's degree in sports science.

Japanese media said Wong and his wife arrived in Japan on Saturday for a five-day holiday. On Sunday night, Wong told his wife, who was resting at a hotel, that he was going out to buy food. He was wandering in Chiyoda in central Tokyo and bumped into a Japanese woman in her early 20s.

Speaking in English, Wong asked her to bring him to the nearest ramen shop for the signature Japanese noodle dish.

The woman agreed to show him the way and when they passed by a commercial and residential building, Wong allegedly dragged her into a male toilet and attempted to rape her.

Reports said Wong grabbed the woman's breasts and molested her in the toilet. He subsequently fled and the woman made a report to police.

Officers checked surveillance camera records and identified Wong before they arrested him for rape.

Wong reportedly refused to admit or deny the offense, and only told police to wait until his lawyers arrived.

The Fire Services Department yesterday confirmed that one of its officers had been arrested in Tokyo.

"The officer was on leave at the time of the incident. The FSD is gathering knowledge on the incident and has no supplementary information to provide at the moment," the department said. "FSD highly values officers' discipline and conduct. Every case of law and discipline violation will be treated seriously."

Under Japanese law, rape or forcible sexual intercourse carries a jail sentence of between five and 20 years. Barrister Albert Luk Wai-hung expects Wong to be tried in Japan. It was unlikely he would be extradited to Hong Kong.

"The most important reason is that there are no extradition agreements between Hong Kong and Japan," Luk said.

"He would probably be tried and sentenced according to Japanese law - not under the common law body of Hong Kong."

That would mean if Wong is convicted, he is likely to be allowed to return to Hong Kong only after serving his sentence.

Wong's arrest has led to heated discussion among Japan and Hong Kong online users.

Some Japanese said they had similar experiences of being asked by foreigners for directions to places.

"Some people just use it as an excuse to approach girls," one wrote. "Some tourists actually speak Japanese but pretend they can't speak it."

Another said: "I think girls should protect themselves and stop showing people where places are."

Hongkongers found the news bizarre and criticized Wong for damaging the city's reputation.

"A fireman should be trusted and respected. We're ashamed of what he did," one wrote.