YOKOHAMA--Rina Gonoi, a former Ground Self-Defense Force member whose reports about being sexually abused by colleagues led to a national scandal, is moving on with her life as a judo instructor here.

“Toss me around a lot today. Relieve your stress and go home feeling better,” Gonoi, 23, said at a trial lesson she held for judo beginners.

Thirty-one females, from their teens to their 70s, joined the event at Omigawa dojo in Yokohama’s Aoba Ward on Feb. 5.

In addition to judo exercises, Gonoi taught them certain moves, like “osoto-gari” (major outer reap) and her specialty, “seoi-nage” (shoulder throw.)

“You are all very good,” she applauded the participants.

Gonoi was unsure if she should hold the event until the day before.

‘SCARED OF PEOPLE’

In June 2022, Gonoi went public about being sexually assaulted by male GSDF members in 2021 and demanded the Defense Ministry investigate the case.

After an internal investigation, the ministry in September acknowledged the assault and apologized.

Four of the five perpetrators personally apologized to Gonoi a month later. The ministry in December dismissed the five servicemen and punished four others.

On Jan. 31 this year, Gonoi sued the five perpetrators and the government, saying she felt their apologies were empty. She is seeking damages from the five for her mental distress and from the government over its failure to take sufficient measures and properly investigate the matter.

Her move led to defamatory comments online. Many accused her of filing the lawsuit “just for the money”

Gonoi said the online harassment made her think about calling off the judo event.

“I was so scared of people that I couldn’t leave my home,” she said.

But Michihiro Omigawa, 47, head of the dojo and a mixed martial artist, told her to push back and not let the critics win.

“She would have regretted it if she had canceled the event,” Omigawa said. “She would have been at the mercy of those who are slandering her without even showing their face.”

In June 2022, when Gonoi decided to resign from the GSDF and file a complaint, she asked Omigawa if she could work at the dojo.

He immediately asked her to come for an interview. She was at her parents’ home in Miyagi Prefecture at the time.

“I could tell that she was passionate about judo,” he said. He decided to hire her on the spot.

Omigawa proposed the event as a step for Gonoi to gain experience as an instructor.

A woman from Chiba Prefecture, 49, who works at a law firm took part in the event after learning about it on Twitter.

She said her heart ached after meeting Gonoi.

“A young woman had to go through such battles,” the woman said.

She said that she was sexually harassed when she worked at a manufacturer. She was asked to entertain attendees at a drinking party and was once left alone with a business partner at an after-party.

“I had to endure it with a smile,” she said. “Since our generation did so, young people are still suffering today.”

However, when she saw Gonoi happily teaching judo, she was glad that “she was moving to the next step.”

“The trial and other battles may continue, but that’s not what life is all about,” the woman said. “I hope she can detach herself from it and enjoy the rest of her life.”

Participants sent Gonoi down to the tatami more than 100 times that day.

She wrapped up the event, saying, “Judo taught me that it’s important to get up and face the opponent no matter how many times I am thrown.

“That is why, when I get pulled, flipped or knocked down, I’ll always stand up again and again.”

FIGHTING AGAIN

Gonoi plans to compete in the individual championship of the All-Japan Businessmen’s Judo Federation in August.

She started judo as a preschooler and competed in national tournaments when she was in junior high school and high school.

She joined the GSDF because she wanted to enroll in the SDF Physical Training School. But her career was cut short before that could happen.

Gonoi decided to participate in the August tournament, saying, “I want people to see me fight again.

“From now on, I want to live my life not as a victim but as a person,” Gonoi said repeatedly. “I want to change the atmosphere where victims are not allowed to laugh.”

On the day of the event, her face was shining with perspiration. Her soft smile showed not a victim but a person who just loves judo.

“I’m glad I held this event,” Gonoi said. “I thought I wanted to cheer up the participants, but they were the ones who cheered me up.”