Kazuhide Uekusa

Speaking at a news conference, Kazuhide Uekusa, 43, swore "by the gods of heaven and Earth" that he is not guilty.

"I am putting my life on the line to fight this accusation," the former Waseda University professor said.

Uekusa was arrested on suspicion of using a small hand mirror to try to look up the girl's skirt on an escalator at JR Shinagawa Station in Tokyo on April 8.

He initially admitted the offense but later denied it. He pleaded innocent in June.

Uekusa maintained that his first admission was made at the suggestion of police, who said he would be treated leniently if he owned up.

"I was confused and so I acknowledged (the contents) of my statement," he said.

The scholar explained that he carried a hand mirror with him to check his appearance because he often appears on television.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 11, 2004
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