Man 'admits' Japan assaults

Lucie Blackman disappeared in Tokyo in July

A Japanese businessman being questioned over the disappearance of Briton Lucie Blackman has confessed to molesting western women in Tokyo but categorically denies any link to the 22-year-old, according to the Agence-France Press news agency.

Joji Obara, a 48-year-old property developer arrested in a separate case, has reportedly admitted he sexually assaulted several foreigners.

The police arrested him last Thursday on suspicion he molested a Canadian bar hostess three years ago.

According to the reports, Mr Obara told investigators at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department that he could not recall the names of his victims.

Lucie Blackman, who had worked as a hostess in a Tokyo club, went missing after saying she was going on a day trip on 1 July.

A man later rang her friend to say that she had joined a cult and would not be back.