Rina Gonoi, the former soldier who was sexually assaulted while serving in Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF), has reached a settlement with two remaining defendants - the state and an ex-colleague.
Her attorney said on Monday that Gonoi will receive 1.6 million yen ($10,400; £7,600) from the Japanese government, but no compensation or apology from the former colleague.
This marks the end of Gonoi's civil lawsuit against five ex-soldiers and the government in a case that has drawn international attention, with settlements already reached with four of the five earlier.
A 2023 ruling in a separate criminal case found three of the ex-soldiers guilty of sexual assault.
Gonoi's case is a landmark one in Japan, where it is rare for victims of sexual violence to speak out. She shared her experience on YouTube in 2022.
Public discussions about sexual violence have surged in recent years following high-profile cases like journalist Shiori Ito's court battle against her alleged rapist and the expose of J-pop giant Johnny Kitagawa.
At a press conference, Gonoi expressed that she experienced a very long and heavy time since speaking out over four years ago. During these 4.5 years I came to understand first-hand just how heavy the weight of speaking up is. Even so, I did not regret speaking out, she stated.
Gonoi initially sought 5.5 million yen ($40,000; £32,000) in damages for mental distress and an additional 2 million yen from the state for its failure to prevent such abuse.
In 2022, Gonoi posted a viral YouTube video alleging that in 2021, three of her male colleagues had assaulted her and that her complaints to superiors were dismissed.
This led to over 100,000 people signing a petition demanding an investigation by the defense ministry, which uncovered more than 1,000 other sexual harassment reports within the SDF ranks.
Ultimately, her three attackers were convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to two years in prison in 2023, with sentences suspended for four years, allowing them to avoid prison time.
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