Singapore diplomat suspended amid probe into allegations he filmed teen at public bath in Japan

SINGAPORE: An officer from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has been suspended from duties to assist in investigations amid allegations that he filmed a teenager at a public bath in Japan. 

“We will cooperate with the Japanese authorities and take the necessary actions. We would also be prepared to waive diplomatic immunity to facilitate investigations if the alleged facts bear out,” the ministry said on Thursday night (May 2) in response to CNA’s queries.

According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a diplomat cannot be arrested. 

Japanese media reports on Thursday said a diplomat working at the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo was questioned by local police after being suspected of filming a 13-year-old male student at a public bath.

MFA said it was made aware of the allegations on Wednesday when contacted by the Japanese media. The ministry said the allegations were made against one of its officers who was previously on post in the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo. 

“The staff (member) in question had completed his tour of duty as scheduled and returned to Singapore in mid-April 2024,” it said, adding that the officer did not inform the ministry about the incident until he was asked about it on Wednesday.

MFA said it expects all its staff to uphold the “highest standards of conduct” and to abide by the laws of their host countries. 

“From the time of the alleged offence on Feb 27, 2024, to today, we have not received information from the authorities in Tokyo. The ministry has reached out to the relevant authorities for information and will be thoroughly investigating the incident,” it added.