Japanese pop singer Kenshin Kamimura told a Hong Kong court that he did not commit indecent assault, denying the charge during a highly emotional hearing. Over 100 of his fans attended the session, many of them tearful as they watched him break down.
Kamimura, aged 25, arrived at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday morning wearing a black suit. He appeared before Magistrate Li Chi-ho and firmly stated that he was not guilty of the charge against him.
Emotional Outburst in Courtroom
The incident in question reportedly took place on March 2 at Ming Kee Restaurant in Mong Kok. Kamimura, a former member of the boy band ONE N’ ONLY and star of the drama Our Youth, was visibly shaken during the proceedings. According to reports, he trembled throughout the session, cried, and even covered his face with his hands. His Japanese interpreter remained close by to offer comfort.
When the court asked for his plea, Kamimura cried out in Japanese, “I plead not guilty!” Magistrate Li later asked if he needed a break, but Kamimura replied in Japanese that he was fine. He also said “no problem” in Cantonese, although he continued to cry at intervals.
Fans Arrived Early to Show Support
Around 170 fans came to the courthouse, including supporters from Hong Kong, Japan, and mainland China. Some watched the proceedings from a live broadcast area nearby, while others gathered inside the courtroom. Most of them were women, and some cried along with Kamimura.
Fans told local media they started lining up at 6 a.m. to ensure they could attend. Police officers had to be deployed to manage the crowd. Outside the court, many fans posed for photos with their idol’s merchandise, showing continued loyalty despite the controversy.
Details of the Incident and Legal Action
Reports say Kamimura allegedly assaulted the female interpreter during a celebration at the Mong Kok restaurant on March 2. Earlier that day, they had attended a fan meeting in Tung Chung where the woman worked as his interpreter.
Authorities arrested and charged Kamimura the same day. He was later released on bail. The court has scheduled the trial to continue from July 30 at West Kowloon Courts. The hearing is expected to last for three days.
Career Fallout After Arrest
Kamimura, born in 1999 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, had been a member of the boy group ONE N’ ONLY, which focuses on both dance and singing. Days after his arrest, Stardust Promotion, the agency managing the group, removed him from the lineup. The company stated on the group’s website that Kamimura had committed “a serious breach of compliance.”
Since then, Kamimura’s Instagram profile has been deleted. However, many fans have continued to support him by commenting under posts on the band’s official account.
