Okinawa Prefectureal Police announced Friday the arrest of 26-year-old Rikito Shimoji, a police officer at Itoman Police Station, on suspicion of violating the Prefectural Ordinance of Juvenile Protection. Shimoji has reportedly admitted to the charge.

According to Okinawa Prefectural Police Inspection Division, Shimoji is suspected of engaging in a sexual activity with a girl at a hotel in Naha City, from 11:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 3rd while knowing that the girl was a minor. Shimoji was off-duty that day.

Investigators say Shimoji acquainted with the girl via an Internet community site, and they met for the first time on May 3rd. Based on the results of the investigation, police will decide whether to take the case to the prosecutor’s office and what possible disciplinary action to take.

An official at the Okinawa Prefectural Police Inspection Division said, “This is greatly regrettable. We would like to apologize to Okinawa residents, and will remind all police officers of their responsibilities, and to take action to prevent a reoccurrence of this kind of case.”

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