Japanese prosecutors have decided not to indict soccer player Sano Kaishu for an alleged sexual assault against a woman. The 23-year-old played for the national team at this year’s AFC Asian Cup.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office provided no reasons for their Thursday decision.
Police arrested Sano and two male acquaintances on July 14 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman in her 30s at a hotel in Tokyo.
Investigative sources say Sano admitted to the charge when he was apprehended.
Prosecutors continued their investigation after he was released from custody on July 29.
Sano issued a statement through his management agency at the time of his release. He said he would take the consequences of his action seriously, think about what to do, move forward step by step and strive to regain trust.
In July, just days before his arrest, it was announced that Sano was leaving the Kashima Antlers of Japan’s J1 League for Mainz 05 of the German league system.