'I Didn't Know It Was Illegal': Japanese Football Official Caught Watching Child Porn in Business Class, Jailed in France

A senior official in Japanese football, Masanaga Kageyama, has been convicted in France for watching child pornography during a long-haul flight, after cabin crew discovered the illicit material on his laptop in business class.

The 58-year-old, who serves as technical director of the Japan Football Association (JFA), was handed an 18-month suspended sentence and fined €5,000 ($5,380 USD) following a hearing in Bobigny Criminal Court near Paris.

The conviction has ignited widespread anger and prompted urgent questions about accountability and safeguarding within international football.

The Arrest and Court Proceedings

According to Le Monde and AFP, Kageyama was travelling from Tokyo to Santiago, Chile, en route to the Under-20 World Cup, when flight attendants noticed him viewing illegal content on his laptop. Upon landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport, French border police detained him for questioning.

Prosecutors charged him with importing, possessing, and recording pornographic images of minors under 15, serious violations under French criminal law.

During the trial, Kageyama admitted to watching the material but claimed ignorance of French law, stating, 'I did not know it was illegal.' He also suggested that some of the images might have been AI-generated, an argument prosecutors dismissed as irrelevant to the offence.

The court imposed a 10-year ban on Kageyama from working with minors, prohibited him from entering France during that period, and ordered his name added to the French sex offenders' register. He was held in police custody until sentencing but released immediately after the verdict due to the suspended term.

Shockwaves Through Japanese Football

The ruling has caused turmoil within the Japan Football Association, where Kageyama oversaw youth development and coaching education. His role gave him direct influence over national team training structures and junior player pathways.

In a statement, the JFA said it was 'aware of the reports and gathering information before taking action.' The association is expected to suspend Kageyama pending internal review.

Observers have noted that the incident undermines public confidence in the JFA's safeguarding protocols. Japan's football community has faced previous controversies involving misconduct and inadequate oversight.

In 2024, Junya Ito, a national team winger, was removed from international duty amid allegations of sexual misconduct — a case that similarly shook the sport's leadership.

Airline and Legal Response

French prosecutors praised the Air France cabin crew for intervening promptly. The Bobigny prosecutor's office said the crew 'acted swiftly and responsibly' after spotting the content mid-flight, ensuring Kageyama was detained upon landing.

Legal experts in France described the sentence as lenient but consistent with first-time offences involving digital possession rather than production. Still, the inclusion of a 10-year work ban was viewed as a strong signal of the seriousness of the crime.

Ongoing Fallout and Questions of Accountability

Despite his suspended sentence, Kageyama's professional future remains uncertain. His oversight of youth football places him under heightened scrutiny, and calls for his resignation have begun circulating on Japanese social media.

The case has also reignited debate about AI-generated sexual content and whether it falls under child protection laws — a growing grey area internationally.

As of now, Kageyama remains free but barred from any professional contact with minors. The scandal is expected to have long-term repercussions for both his career and Japan's sporting integrity frameworks.