Full Breakdown
ANA Captain Sentenced to 20 Months for Groping Flight Attendant
7/15/2026, 4:24:34 AM
Incident and Sentencing
Tokyo District Court judge Takao Okawa sentenced ANA captain Ryota Mise, 44, to 20 months in prison on 14 July 2024 for repeatedly groping a female flight attendant in public locations in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, in October 2023. The court described Mise’s conduct as “mean and persistent,” noting that he exploited his authority as a captain to touch the attendant’s genitals on a street and at a convenience store. The victim, a junior crew member, was forced to take prolonged leave after the assault.
Legal Proceedings and Court Reasoning
Mise entered a not-guilty plea, and his defence argued that the attendant had sent an approving message immediately after the incident. The court rejected this claim, stating it failed to demonstrate an understanding of sexual-abuse dynamics. Judge Okawa emphasized that Mise took no steps to mitigate his colleague’s suffering during her leave and therefore warranted incarceration, albeit a term shorter than the 30-month sentence sought by prosecutors.
Airline Response
All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced that it had removed Mise from all flight duties when the case first became public in March 2024. In a post-sentencing statement, ANA said, “No acts of harassment are allowed. We will strive to make sure nothing of this nature happens again,” underscoring its commitment to preventing future misconduct.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No acts of harassment are allowed. We will strive to make sure nothing of this nature happens again,” — ANA spokesperson
- “The defendant had pleaded not guilty, with the defence arguing that the woman had sent an approving message to him right after the incident.” — Court documents
These statements capture the court’s assessment, the defence’s position, and ANA’s official response to the case.
