Shinichiro Wada

The sentence for ex-Waseda student Shinichiro Wada, 30, was just shy of the 15-year maximum penalty for rape.

Wada and two other members of Super Free, the club he headed, raped a 19-year-old college student on Dec. 19, 2001, at the club's office, which was also Wada's residence, in Tokyo's Toshima Ward.

On April 27, 2003, Wada and 12 other Super Free members gang-raped an 18-year-old student on the landing of a Roppongi building in Minato Ward. She was then taken to the Super Free office to be further assaulted.

On May 18, 2003, he and four other members raped a 20-year-old college student at the same Roppongi location.

Thirteen members of Super Free, apart from Wada, were earlier handed prison terms ranging from 28 months to 10 years. Three of them have appealed their sentences.

The three gang rapes Wada was convicted of are considered just the tip of the iceberg of similar assaults he and other members allegedly committed.

The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 13, 2004
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