ANA captain sentenced to 20 months for indecent assault, sparking outrage over airline's inaction

Summary

An ANA All Nippon Airways captain has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for indecently assaulting a female flight attendant in broad daylight, a conviction that exposes the airline’s shocking failure to suspend the pilot even after he admitted to the offense in an internal investigation. The 44-year-old pilot continued to command aircraft for nearly three years after the October 10, 2023 assault, prompting outrage over ANA’s crew vetting practices.

The Tokyo District Court handed down the sentence on July 14, 2026, rejecting the pilot’s claim that he believed touching was permissible. ANA’s decision to keep him in the cockpit despite a pending criminal trial now threatens the carrier’s premium safety reputation.

The Tokyo District Court sentenced Ryota Mise, a 44-year-old ANA captain, to one year and eight months in prison on July 14, 2026, for repeatedly groping a female flight attendant on a street and in a convenience store in Takamatsu after a crew dinner in October 2023. The conviction — which the judge called “despicable” and an abuse of his position — comes nearly three years after the assault, during which ANA allowed Mise to continue flying as captain despite his admission of guilt in an internal investigation.

The airline’s decision to impose only “strict disciplinary measures” without suspension exposes a dangerous gap in crew vetting that undermines the trust of premium passengers who choose ANA for its vaunted safety and service standards. The case affects all ANA passengers, particularly those in premium cabins and ANA Mileage Club elites who may now question whether cockpit crew are adequately screened for behavioral fitness.

No flight disruptions are expected, but the reputational damage could ripple through ANA’s international network, where the carrier competes with Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines for high-yield travelers. The airline’s handling of the incident — allowing a captain who admitted to a criminal sexual offense to remain in command — raises urgent questions about how airlines evaluate pilot fitness and the mechanisms that protect crew members from abuse by superiors.

The details

According to court documents, the assault occurred in the early hours of October 10, 2023, after a group meal following a flight. Mise groped the flight attendant multiple times on a public street and inside a convenience store. The victim, who had met Mise for the first time on the previous day’s flight, feared professional repercussions due to his influence as captain, which prevented her from refusing.

ANA’s internal investigation confirmed the captain admitted to the acts and promised no further harassment, yet the airline only imposed disciplinary measures and allowed him to retain his command. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office indicted Mise in March 2024 on charges of indecent acts without consent. The trial concluded on July 14, 2026, with Judge Takao Okawa dismissing Mise’s claim that he believed touching was permissible based on trust built at the meal. The judge found the victim’s testimony “convincing and highly credible” and sentenced him to 20 months in prison.

The value-add

ANA’s decision to keep a captain in the cockpit after he admitted to a criminal sexual offense is not an isolated lapse. Across the industry, airlines have repeatedly failed to enforce crew fitness standards, from American Airlines allowing drug-positive flight attendants to fly to Avelo’s alleged retaliation against a captain who reported safety violations. Air Traveler Club’s analysis of FAA enforcement against American Airlines highlights how regulatory penalties often come years after the fact, leaving passengers exposed in the interim.

For ANA, the reputational damage is particularly acute because the carrier built its premium brand on flawless service and safety. The gap between the 2023 assault and the 2026 conviction — during which the captain continued to command aircraft — suggests a systemic failure in how airlines assess behavioral fitness, not just medical fitness. Japan’s aviation regulator may now face pressure to mandate immediate suspension for any crew member under criminal investigation for violent or sexual offenses.

What the sentencing means for ANA passengers

The conviction itself does not disrupt flights or trigger automatic rebooking rights, but it signals that ANA’s crew vetting processes may face external scrutiny. Watch for ANA’s official announcement on the captain’s dismissal — expected within 7 days — which will indicate whether the airline is moving swiftly to restore trust. If Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau launches a regulatory review within 30 days, it could lead to stricter fitness-for-duty standards across Japanese carriers, potentially affecting crew scheduling and training requirements.

FAQ