Suspended prison sentences have been finalized in Japan for three male former Ground Self-Defense Force members who were found guilty on charges of indecent assault of a female subordinate.

The defendants did not file an appeal by the two-week deadline on Tuesday.

The Fukushima District Court had handed down two-year prison sentences, suspended for four years, to Shibuya Shutaro, Sekine Akito and Kimezawa Yusuke on December 12.

Prosecutors alleged that they touched Gonoi Rina through her clothing during a party at a training facility in Hokkaido in August 2021.

The defendants pleaded not guilty. They admitted to forcing Gonoi down using martial arts moves but said they had no intention of committing indecent acts.

The court found them guilty, saying the defendants had disregarded the victim's character and used her as a tool to build up excitement at the party. The ruling stated that the behavior was contemptible and malicious.

The case has attracted widespread interest in Japan and abroad.

Time magazine in September named Gonoi to its list of 100 emerging leaders of 2023, saying her courage to speak up about sexual violence has "kicked the door open for all survivors."

In November, Gonoi also made it onto British broadcaster BBC's list of the top 100 influential women of the year.
The BBC noted she had launched a public campaign calling for accountability -- a tough task in a male-dominated society where sexual abuse survivors face a fierce backlash if they speak out.

Gonoi commented on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the ruling's finalization, saying that she had put her life on the line in a long fight but the struggle had come to an end.

She also expressed gratitude to those who had encouraged her at home and abroad.

She also told NHK that she hopes the three will live in ways in which they never hurt anybody.