Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Lucie Blackman case man charged over rape

Nell Raven
Monday 30 October 2000 00:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Japanese businessman being questioned about the disappearance of British bar hostess Lucie Blackman has been charged with drugging and raping a Western woman, Canadian officials said yesterday.

A Japanese businessman being questioned about the disappearance of British bar hostess Lucie Blackman has been charged with drugging and raping a Western woman, Canadian officials said yesterday.

Joji Obara, 48, was charged on Friday with raping a 23-year-old Canadian, who worked as a bar hostess in Tokyo's Roppongi night-life district, a spokesman from the Canadian foreign office said.

He was arrested on 12 October following a complaint by the woman that she was raped after being plied with alcohol mixed with sleeping drugs on 31 March, 1996.

The company executive was being questioned in connection with the disappearance of Miss Blackman and several other rapes of young blonde foreign women, the spokesman said. Miss Blackman went missing on 1 July.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in