Teenage girl's death puts damning spotlight on 'hostage justice' system in Japan
The family of a 16-year-old girl who died after being detained by Japanese police is alleging that Japan's 'hostage justice' system contributed to her trauma and death. The case has sparked calls for legal reform from government officials who criticize the country's high conviction rates.
Why it matters
It highlights significant human rights concerns regarding judicial practices and the treatment of suspects in the Japanese legal system.
Teenage girl's death puts damning spotlight on 'hostage justice' system in Japan By North Asia correspondent Natalie Whiting and Akane Saiki in Tokyo Topic: Law, Crime and Justice
Link copied Share Share article On an early morning last June, Nami* got a call telling her police were taking in her 16-year-old daughter, Runa*. It would be 18 days before she saw Runa again.
Warning: Some readers may find this story confronting as it contains content relating to an eating disorder and a photograph of an emaciated teenage girl in hospital.
"I told the police that I'd be there within 30 minutes and asked them to wait for me," recalled Nami, a mother from the Hyogo region of Japan.
"The police officer said they understood, but by the time I rushed to the scene, my daughter was already gone. They'd taken her away."
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