Community figure who helped protect children accused of molesting girls in Osaka July 24, 2017 (Mainichi Japan)

OSAKA — The head of a council set up here to communicate with police on building a safe community was arrested on July 23 on suspicion of molesting two young girls, police said.

Osaka Prefectural Police arrested Yoshihiro Uchiyama, 57, on suspicion of indecent assault. Uchiyama had served as head of the Tennoji Police Station liaison council and was involved in volunteer activities watching over children on their commute to and from school.

He is accused of taking two girls aged 10 and 11 into a warehouse near his home in Osaka between March 6 and 24, and molesting them. He has reportedly admitted to the allegations against him, saying he was unable to control his sensual desires.

Uchiyama operated a rice shop where children had often played. His alleged actions came to light after a teacher received information from a friend of the two victims, and the Osaka City Board of Education contacted police.

Police station liaison councils are set up across Japan to reflect the public’s will in police administration. Uchiyama had served as head of the Tennoji Police Station liaison council from June this year.