A 15-year-old boy remained missing Monday after three boys reportedly forced him to jump into a river in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, on Saturday night. The boy is believed to have drowned, although his body has not been found yet, police said, adding that the three teens have been arrested.
According to police, the three suspects, aged 16, 15 and 14, took the 15-year-old boy to the Aizuma River where they met up with about six other teenagers. Fuji TV reported that the three suspects started beating and kicking the 15-year-old. They forced him to take off his clothes and said they would leave him alone if he could swim across to the other side of the river. The boy was then forced to jump into the 30-meter-wide river but disappeared beneath the surface.
Police said they received a call just after 11 p.m. from a girl informing them what had happened.
During questioning by police, the three boys said they had got mad at their classmate because he had been dating one of their mutual female friends, but had recently been seen with another girl.
The boys said they told the 15-year-old, "If you jump into the river, swim to the other side and back again, then maybe we'll forgive you."
Police quoted the boys as saying they didn't think their friend would be in any danger.
© Japan Today
20 Comments
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Kobe White Bar Owner
Here we go again, the same old bullying story then a kid dies and the perps get away with murder literally as they are "minors". Like i said before at this age they ARE responsible for there actions. Hope he is found safe but not looking good. Finger crossed.
nakanoguy01
another new outlet us already reporting this as a murder because the boy is presumed dead. there were supposedly a gang of kids who witnessed this, too. shouldn't they also be prosecuted? i hope this is the straw that breaks the camel's back so japan will begin charging idiots like these as adults.
Yubaru
Wishful thinking, they have a plausible enough excuse to keep them in juvenile custody, and sadly we can not hear the other side of the story.
smithinjapan
"He was dating an acquaintance and then we saw him with another girl. Didn't ask him about, just murdered him."
At the very least the 16 year old should be tried as an adult. They all should, but I doubt any will. In fact, I doubt they'll even be sent off to reformatories. If it had been them that called the police IMMEDIATELY after the boy disappeared under the surface and did not come up, you might be able to take their "we didn't know he would get hurt" somewhat seriously and just see it as bullying gone VERY bad, but it wasn't them; it was a girl who was watching. My guess is they didn't immediately come forward, either, but were pointed out.
Alistair Carnell
So he was seen with another girl, so what ? It's was their (the victim and his girlfriend's problem to sort out). who made these thugs judge, jury and executioner.
Scumbags should be named shamed, and thrown in the big house, let's see how tough they act then.
shallots
Prosecuting them is not the only answer here. Restorative justice would do more to change society which is the real goal of any response. Until institutions change, until structure changes, we will continue to see these heartbreaking events.
602miko
Poor boy hope they'll found him alive and sounds.
DaDude
There has to be much more to is story than a bunch of "friends" being dating police. There must have been some history of bullying of the boy that will probably surface in the next few days.
Mirai Hayashi
I certainly hope he just swam away to get away from these idiots!!
Danny Bloom
Another movie script in the making for Japan. I saw a movie like this in Tokyo 25 years ago. Saitama story. Nothing changes except the names of the bullies.
David Blue
And not one jumped in to rescue him when he went under. It is murder and they are getting away with it.
sensei258
There's only three things I don' like about Japan...the humid summers, the risk of being struck down by a bicycle, and the bizarre justice system. Their parents will pay, but the "kids" will walk away. To quote Chris Rock..."That ain't right"
mariooshima
Same bullying story and sickening.why japan cannot address this ongoing problem,it's the same story,japanese don't want or evade from taking responsibility.country has strict rules of conduct but bulling problems not solved..involve more police investigation in schools so that children can report bulling with no fear or counter attacks.
FernGully
Come on Japan! Step up on anti-bullying! Stop this bull crap!
Amidalism
I don't know what these boys' definition of "friend" is, but I don't beat up my friends and force them into a river naked.
Wc626
Ahh jealousy. They were hating the "player", not the "game".
WilliB
Reminds of the recent murder in Kawasaki. These "youths" should be tried as adults.
sensei258
After lots of bowing, apologizing, and paying by their parents, these kids will walk away. No so for the victim.
nath
They've found his body. RIP.
DVDexpert
As with the recent Kawasaki murder case and others, the names of the arrested / charged will be posted on Twitter and other social media by classmates or local people for example. The names and photos of almost any suspect below the age of criminal responsibility can be found instantly on Internet searches in Japan. Perhaps this might be a contributing factor in forcing the government to lower the age in line with many other developed nations.