Ex-Governor Pleads Guilty to Molestation

A former governor of Osaka who was driven from office by allegations of fondling a female college student pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault. Isamu “Knock” Yokoyama, 68, a former stand-up comic who resigned as governor of Osaka in December, made the plea in Osaka District Court, a court spokesman said on condition of anonymity. A civil court has ordered him to pay more than $107,300 in damages, the largest award in a sexual harassment case in Japan. “I committed an inexcusable act,” Yokoyama was quoted as saying by the Kyodo News agency. Though Yokoyama pleaded guilty, the trial will continue in order to determine the sentence.