OSAKA -- Former Osaka Gov. "Knock" Yokoyama's admission of guilt Tuesday in the opening session of his trial on molestation charges inflamed Osaka's citizens, many of whom flocked to the polls just last April to re-elect the popular comedian-turned-politician.

"Don't mess with the voters," a citizen shouted as others echoed similar sentiment. Some called him pathetic.

About 650 citizens lined up to draw straws to view the opening session of the high-profile criminal trial Tuesday morning as a fleet of media helicopters hovered above the Osaka District Court.

At the start of the session, Yokoyama quickly abandoned his earlier stubborn denial that he had molested a female campaign worker last April, including his earlier claim that he never even touched her hand.

Those lucky enough to land a gallery seat were aghast by his about-face. Some said he should have admitted the wrongdoing when the allegations were first made.

"I am sorry. I committed an inexcusable act," Yokoyama told the court.

"If he had admitted (the charges) from the beginning, today's situation might not have happened. He just wanted to cling to the governor's post," said Yuko Moriya, representative of a local women's group that has monitored his behavior since the allegation surfaced last year.

Another spectator suggested his changed circumstances brought his changed stance. "He owned up to the charges now that he does not have anything to lose," said Hidehiko Noguchi, 68, an Osaka citizen. "He could not switch from comedian to governor after all."

A 35-year-old housewife in Suita was clearly disgusted with the former governor. "He humiliated his victim," she said. "I don't ever want to see his face or hear his name again. I don't want to see him show up on TV. I hope he just goes away and lives somewhere quietly."

A senior Osaka prefectural official seemed to be still in shock. "So the truth was he did it" he said. "It is too late, but it is still better to tell the truth and apologize."

That official indicated he was still trying to get over feeling betrayed, as he had believed in his former boss' innocence and had helped prepare his statements to the prefectural assembly.

Osaka Gov. Fusae Ota issued a statement in which she said, "although it is about the former governor, it is regrettable that the matter led to a criminal trial and disrupted the business of the prefectural government." She added that she had no comment on the trial itself because it is a matter for the court.

Ota was elected in a by-election last month to fill the vacancy left by Yokoyama's resignation in December.

"I cannot believe this. He is no different from men who pay money to have sex with young girls," said Juri Tanaka, a 24-year-old company employee in Osaka.

"He should not think about revival as politician. Instead, he should choose a humble path," said Tokuo Nishikawa, a Democratic Party of Japan member of the prefectural assembly.

Takeshi Tsuchimoto, former prosecutor and law professor at Teikyo University, said Yokoyama, by pleading guilty, is apparently trying to win leniency from the court.

The trial can proceed quickly now and end in a few more sessions, he predicted.

Kiyoshi Kuroda, an Osaka-based freelance journalist, said, "Osaka people had a clean image of Yokoyama. He was indeed clean where money was involved. It is pathetic that from now on, we also have to take into consideration whether a candidate is prone to commit sexual harassment."