Japan Skating Shocked By Sexual Harassment Scandal Involving Hashimoto, Takahashi

A sexual harassment scandal "was gripping Japan's skating world on Wednesday after pictures emerged" of show skater-turned-politician SEIKO HASHIMOTO "hugging and kissing" the now 28-year-old DAISUKE TAKAHASHI, according to CHANNEL NEWS ASIA. Hashimoto, a married mother of three and a former Olympic speed skater and cyclist, "was Japan's chef de mission in Sochi." Japan weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun "broke the story, describing the encounter between Takahashi and Hashimoto as 'an unprecedented sexual harassment incident.'" The magazine "quoted one participant at the post-Games party as saying Hashimoto had suddenly -- and very insistently -- pounced on her younger charge" (CHANNEL NEWS ASIA, 8/20). KYODO reported Hashimoto "denied sexually harassing" Takahashi (KYODO, 8/20).