Kenshin Uemura cried in court and denied molesting the female translator.
Table of contents
Case Background
Member of the Japanese boy group "ONE N' ONLY"Kenshin Uemura(Kamimura Kenshin, 25, entertainer) has been charged with one count of indecent assault against a female translator in Hong Kong.Indecent assaultThe incident occurred on March 2, 2025, at Ming Kee Chiu Koon Restaurant, 3/F, 180 Portland Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong. Kenshin Uemura was attending a celebration party following a fan meeting. This case garnered significant attention due to Uemura's immense popularity across Asia following his BL drama "Underage," and the sudden legal troubles surrounding him shocked fans and the public.
Kenshin Uemura was immediately dismissed by his agency after the incident, demonstrating the significant impact the event had on his entertainment career. The case was heard on July 15, 2025, at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, presided over by Magistrate Lee Chi-ho, with case number WKCC 919/2025. During the hearing, Uemura denied the charges, became emotionally agitated and broke down in tears, creating a tense atmosphere both inside and outside the courtroom, attracting a large number of citizens and fans to the hearing.

Case Details
Event Summary
According to the prosecution, on the evening of March 2, 2025, Kenshin Uemura allegedly indecently assaulted a female translator (pseudonym X) during a celebration party after a fan meeting at Ming Kee Restaurant in Mong Kok. Specific charges include inappropriate physical contact and repeatedly stroking the victim's thigh under the table, violating Section 122 of the Crimes Ordinance (Chapter 200 of the Laws of Hong Kong). The prosecution plans to call two witnesses, including individuals present at the time of the incident, but the defendant has not confessed.
The defense stated that, in addition to Uemura himself, they would call one or two witnesses present at the scene to prove the defendant's innocence. The defense lawyer emphasized that there might be a misunderstanding or misjudgment of the situation and would provide detailed evidence in court.

Court hearing
The hearing, scheduled for July 15, 2025, was held in Courtroom 3 of the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, presided over by Magistrate Lee Chi-ho. Due to the widespread public interest in the case, all 170 seats in the gallery were sold out, with women comprising over 90% of the audience. To accommodate the large number of attendees, the judiciary opened an extension courtroom and broadcast the proceedings live via video to accommodate even more members of the public.
During Kenshin Uemura's court appearance, his body trembled slightly as the charges were read aloud, and he repeatedly covered his mouth or face, appearing emotionally agitated and even breaking down in tears at one point. Magistrate Lee Chi-ho proactively inquired whether a recess was necessary to allow the defendant to calm down. Uemura responded in Japanese with "Daijoubu (大丈夫)," and then added in Cantonese with "No problem," demonstrating his resolute attitude towards the trial. Some female fans in the courtroom were also moved to tears by this, creating a somber atmosphere.
Bail arrangements
The magistrate ultimately granted Kenshin Uemura bail of HK$100,000, with conditions including not leaving Hong Kong, reporting to the police regularly, and not contacting prosecution witnesses. The trial is scheduled to begin on July 30, 2025, and is expected to last several days.

Outside the courtroom
Public reaction
The case attracted a large number of citizens and fans to the courtroom. Around 6:00 AM, about a dozen people had already begun queuing outside the court. As the hearing time approached, the number of people in line quickly increased, exceeding one hundred by 9:00 AM. Police officers were dispatched to maintain order and ensure safety outside the courtroom. The fan group was mainly composed of young women, some holding Kenshin Uemura's support items to show their support, but others appeared worried and expressed concern about the progress of the case.
Media reports
The case received extensive coverage from Hong Kong and Japanese media. Local Hong Kong media outlets such as Ming Pao, Oriental Daily News, and HK01 sent reporters to the scene to cover the proceedings and record the reactions of fans. In Japan, some entertainment media also closely followed the case, exploring its impact on Kenshin Uemura and his group "ONE N' ONLY." On the social media platform X, discussions among fans and netizens about the case were extremely heated, forming polarized opinions.

Timeline
The following is a timeline of events related to the case:
| date | event |
|---|---|
| March 2, 2025 | Kenshin Uemura was arrested by police for allegedly molesting a female translator, X, at a celebration banquet held at Ming Kee Chiu Restaurant in Mong Kok. |
| March 3, 2025 | Kenshin Uemura has been charged with one count of indecent assault, and his agency has announced the termination of his contract. |
| July 15, 2025 | At the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, Uemura pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of HK$100,000. |
| July 30, 2025 | The trial has officially begun, with witnesses expected to be called and a detailed hearing to be held. |
Chart: Distribution of Courtroom Public Gallery
The following is a diagram showing the distribution of seats in the public gallery on July 15, 2025:
Gender distribution of the audience seats: "Female": 90; "Male": 10

Impact of the case
Influence on Uemura Kenshin
Kenshin Uemura gained a large fan base in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia due to the popularity of the BL drama "Underage," and his fresh image was widely loved. However, the recent indecent assault allegations and subsequent contract termination have severely damaged his acting career. Some fans have voiced their support, believing that Uemura may have been misunderstood, while other netizens have criticized his behavior, arguing that artists should act with caution.
Impact on "ONE N' ONLY"
ONE N' ONLY, a rising Japanese boy band, has been gaining recognition in the Asian market in recent years. Uemura's involvement in the scandal not only affects his personal image but may also impact the group's overall development. The management company's swift termination of Uemura's contract after the incident demonstrates its decisive crisis management, but the group's future activities and fan support remain uncertain.
Social impact
The case has sparked public discussion about the code of conduct for celebrities and fan culture. Some commentators pointed out that fans' blind support for their idols may affect judicial fairness, while others argued that celebrities, as public figures, should be more cautious in private to avoid similar controversies.

Future Outlook
The trial is scheduled to begin on July 30, 2025, at which time both the prosecution and defense will submit further evidence and witness testimonies. The court's final verdict will depend on the sufficiency of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses. Given the sensitivity of the case and Kenshin Uemura's high profile, the trial is expected to continue to attract significant attention, and the judiciary may need to further strengthen courtroom order management.
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