Australian Daniel Otto Fights Tokyo Conviction Over Language Misunderstanding
- Daniel Otto, a 33-year-old Australian, is fighting to overturn his convictions in Tokyo.
- His defense claims he intended to warn the man about a potential fire from a nearby gas leak.
- During the encounter, he reportedly told the man in English to "Go to a door." This phrase sounds similar to "gōtō da," meaning "this is a robbery" in...
Australian Man’s Legal Fight in Tokyo
Daniel Otto, a 33-year-old Australian, is fighting to overturn his convictions in Tokyo. His lawyers argue he was misunderstood due to a language barrier. Otto was jailed after being convicted of assault and trespass against a 70-year-old man. Prosecutors allege he entered the man’s home and shouted, “this is a robbery.”
Otto insists he is innocent. His defense claims he intended to warn the man about a potential fire from a nearby gas leak. According to his lawyers, Otto was practicing parkour in Takadanobaba when he smelled gas. He climbed a fence to alert nearby residents.
During the encounter, he reportedly told the man in English to “Go to a door.” This phrase sounds similar to “gōtō da,” meaning “this is a robbery” in Japanese. Otto’s defense attorney, Rie Nishida, stated he was simply trying to help by shouting warnings about gas.
A scuffle ensued, resulting in the older man sustaining a head injury requiring stitches. The Tokyo district court dismissed Otto’s defense, stating he did not demonstrate a genuine intent to help. Otto was convicted of trespass and assault, while a robbery charge was dropped.
His legal issues began on September 5, 2023, and he remained in custody for almost eight months before his conviction. In October, he received an additional 490-day jail sentence. Despite these hardships, Otto reportedly remains positive and has continued his studies in IT.
No date is set for his appeal, but it could proceed as soon as early next year. Otto’s lawyers assert he has maintained his innocence and aims to prove his side of the story.