The Nagasaki Prefectural Police has reportedly opened an investigation into a senior official of the department on suspicion he committed indecent acts against a female TV reporter in June.
Contacted by Kyodo News, the 38-year-old police official under suspicion would not reveal the circumstances behind the allegations but said, "Inspectors are conducting investigations into the matter."
The head of the Nagasaki Prefectural Police, Shuichi Sakurai, said early Saturday, "I am given to understand that there is rumor that a sexual harassment-type incident occurred. Investigations are now under way."
The prefectural police are expected to punish the senior official over the incident by the end of this month, department officials said.
The official made obscene advances toward the reporter when she visited his home for late-night news coverage in May, sources close to her alleged.
The reporter has since been hospitalized, they said.
The police official was transferred to the Nagasaki Prefectural Police from another prefectural police department in March.