Japanese vice consul charged with 14 counts of domestic violence

Yoshiaki Nagaya. courtesy of San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

SAN MATEO, Calif. (Bay City News Service) — A Japanese diplomat living in San Bruno has been arrested and charged with 14 counts of domestic violence stemming from alleged attacks on his wife, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.

Yoshiaki Nagaya, 32, on May 7 pleaded not guilty to all charges in San Mateo County Superior Court.

Nagaya, vice consul for Japan in San Francisco, is accused of committing “constant acts of domestic violence” against his wife during their 18-month marriage, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

According to prosecutors, Nagaya stabbed his wife in the hand with a screwdriver, knocked her tooth out during a separate assault, and stomped on her multiple times.

The victim photographed her injuries after each attack, Wagstaffe said.

In March, Nagaya allegedly pushed his wife out of their car in the parking lot where they lived, causing scrapes on her face and knees, Wagstaffe said.

The event prompted her to go to police and describe the alleged abuse, according to prosecutors.

In addition to multiple charges of domestic violence, Nagaya faces three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, Wagstaffe said.

Nagaya was released on $350,000 bail. He is scheduled to be back in San Mateo County Superior Court for a preliminary hearing on June 14.

He faces 15 to 20 years in prison if convicted, Wagstaffe said.