Japan in Shock! 40-Year-Old Naturalized Player Arrested for Sexual Harassment: "He Touches Breasts and Steals Underwear; He Denies All Allegations"

*This content was translated by AI.

A 40-year-old American-born naturalized player active in Japan's professional basketball league (B.League) was urgently arrested on suspicion of forcibly molesting a woman and stealing her underwear during an away game period, sending shockwaves through Japan.

According to local media including RKK Kumamoto Broadcasting, the Kumamoto Central Police Station in Kumamoto Prefecture announced on the 26th that it had arrested Hamilton Kodera Gary (42 years old, 206 cm), who plays for Kagawa Five Arrows of B.League, on charges of forcible molestation and theft.

According to police, between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. that day, Kodera is suspected of forcibly molesting a woman in her 20s who worked at a bar (pub) in Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City, by kissing her without consent and touching her body parts. Additionally, he is also charged with stealing the underwear worn by the victim at the time and placing it in his own bag.

Investigations revealed that the two had met for the first time on the day of the incident. Kodera reportedly visited the bar alone around midnight, and during the crime, only he and the female victim remained inside the establishment. At the time, Kodera allegedly told the victim that he had come to Kumamoto as part of a basketball team's away trip. Shortly after the incident, around 3:00 a.m., an acquaintance of the victim called emergency services (110) reporting that she had been harmed by a professional basketball player, triggering police investigation and ultimately leading to Kodera's arrest.

Standing over 2 meters tall and weighing 140 kg, Kodera is a veteran big man from the United States who has played extensively in B.League after naturalizing as a Japanese citizen. He joined Japan's professional basketball scene starting with the 2016–2017 season and has played for nine seasons. He even acquired Japanese nationality in 2020. Kodera's team, Kagawa, was scheduled to play away games against Kumamoto Volters on both the 26th and 27th.

However, during police questioning, Kodera has firmly denied all allegations. He stated, "I did kiss her, but it was consensual, and I did not touch her breasts." Regarding the theft of underwear, he claimed, "It is true that I put the underwear in my bag, but I did not steal it," maintaining a complete denial of the charges.

His team, Kagawa Five Arrows, has been thrown into crisis. Namioka Naoto Koo Dan (President) and team manager issued an official statement, bowing his head as he said, "Our player, Hamilton Kodera Gary, has been arrested. At the time of the game start on the 26th, the exact situation was not yet clear, so we informed the public that he would be absent for 'condition management,' but we deeply apologize for causing great confusion and concern."

The club further added in an official announcement outlining a timeline of events: "We are fully cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. Regarding the detailed facts, we will hold an official press conference at 11:00 a.m. on the 28th to provide a direct explanation."

The Japanese basketball community remains unable to shake off strong criticism and shock over the bizarre acts of sexual harassment and underwear theft committed by a veteran professional player during an away game.

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*This content was translated by AI.