Japanese police recently uncovered a case that is honestly hard to read without saying, “What did I just…”. And yet, here we are.
To begin with, authorities discovered more than 800 sex videos filmed without women’s consent inside the home of a so-called “polyamorous” family in Japan. The case centres on 39-year-old Yohei Ono, who was arrested on 16 December for uploading explicit footage online without permission.
However, it doesn’t stop there. During the investigation, police also arrested his 28-year-old wife and his 23-year-old adopted daughter. Both are now being investigated to determine whether they were forced or manipulated into helping him. At this point, nothing is confirmed. But the situation already feels deeply wrong.
It all started with one uploaded video
At first, this case looked like a single offence.
According to reports, police began probing Ono after one explicit video surfaced online on 8 December. Investigators found that Ono had met a woman in June 2024, paid her for sex, and met her again at a Tokyo hotel on 7 July 2024.
Here’s the issue. While the sex itself may have been transactional, the filming was not properly consented to. Worse still, Ono allegedly uploaded the video later.
That single upload opened a very dark door.
Police raid reveals a massive cache of videos
Once police raided Ono’s home, the scale of the operation became clear. Officers found over 860 videos, believed to involve around 100 different women.
Let that sink in.
This wasn’t impulsive behaviour. It was organised. Repeated. And clearly planned over a long period of time.
Investigators are still working out how many of these videos were uploaded online, and how many victims may still be unaware they were filmed.
Ono has reportedly admitted to the charges. Meanwhile, his wife and adopted daughter have remained silent.
Not his first run-in with the law
Unfortunately, this wasn’t Ono’s first arrest involving crimes against women.
Back in November, he was arrested for allegedly confining a woman for nearly two months. He had met her on X, and police said he threatened to expose her sex work to her family and the public to control her.
To make matters even more disturbing, he allegedly placed a dog collar on her and forced her to perform sexual acts.
The woman eventually escaped in late November and reported everything to the police. That report likely saved others.
Wife and adopted daughter allegedly helped set up hidden cameras
During questioning, investigators revealed some unsettling details about the household dynamics.
Ono reportedly referred to his wife as “penguin” and his adopted daughter as “rabbit”. He described himself as a polygamist and allegedly viewed his adopted daughter as a “common-law wife”.
Yes. That part is as disturbing as it sounds.
Footage allegedly shows both women helping to set up hidden cameras used to secretly record sexual encounters with other women. Police are now investigating whether they acted willingly or under coercion.
According to Ono, he earned around ¥2 million (about S$16,600) per month from uploading these videos. Over two years, police estimate he may have made more than ¥50 million (around S$414,700).
My take on this whole mess
Let’s call it what it is. This isn’t about “alternative lifestyles” or people being open-minded. This is about power, money, and control.
Slapping the word “polyamorous” on a situation doesn’t magically excuse exploitation. Consent isn’t a vibe. It’s not implied. It’s not optional. It’s clear, informed, and respected. Anything less is just abuse wearing a trendy label.
What also hits hard is how ordinary this started. A paid encounter. A hidden camera. An upload. One click. And suddenly, hundreds of women are violated without even knowing it.
In Singapore, we love to say, “Don’t play play with the law.” This case proves why. Technology makes it easier than ever to cross lines quietly. But the damage is loud, lasting, and very real.
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: privacy and consent are non-negotiable. Once those are gone, everything else falls apart.
Authorities are still investigating the full scale of the offences. They are also trying to identify more victims and determine whether the wife and adopted daughter were coerced.
More arrests or charges could follow.
For now, this case serves as a grim reminder that behind closed doors, things aren’t always what they seem. And sometimes, the truth is far worse.
