crime

Man arrested after enticing teenager to live with him for a month

58 Comments

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping a minor after he enticed a high school girl to live with him for a month, police said Thursday.

According to police, Makoto Oshida, a restaurant employee, met the girl online and invited her to stay over at his house in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture, after she told him that she had family troubles and did not want to be at her home. The girl reportedly accepted Oshida's offer and stayed at his house for approximately one month.

She returned home by herself on June 18, Fuji TV reported. She was unharmed.

The girl’s mother had filed a missing person’s report with the local police. When she returned home, police questioned her and found out about Oshida.

Police said Oshida has admitted to the charge, and quoted him as saying the girl was “his type” and that he invited her to stay with him because he knew from their online conversations that she wanted to leave her home.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

58 Comments

Comments have been disabled You can no longer respond to this thread.

So if he invited her, and she agreed and was not held against her will or prevented from leaving, how in the hell is that kidnapping?

28 ( +30 / -2 )

Stupid idea yes, kidnapping no

23 ( +24 / -1 )

If she was having problems at home, then he should be rewarded for giving her a place of peace to stay for a while. Perhaps that one month opened her mind and will be a better daughter and/or her parents better parents. Guys seems a bit weird but can't see the "kidnapping" here. No sexual assault reported. Sounds to me like a happy ending.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

This is not kidnapping...sorry.

15 ( +16 / -1 )

This does seem to be pretty strange. He didn't take her, and she wasn't prevented from leaving. I found this story in the Japanese news (https://www.houdoukyoku.jp/clips/CONN00363456) to see if there was more information, but there isn't anything more than is in this article.

So I looked up the law that he was charged under (未成年者誘拐 - kidnapping of an minor), and found this: https://ja.wikibooks.org/wiki/%E5%88%91%E6%B3%95%E7%AC%AC224%E6%9D%A1

It looks like it is in place for when a parent abducts a child without permission from the other parent. I'm thinking that maybe they look at this like statutory rape - minors are not able to consent.

But that seems messed up in its own right - does that mean that any time a minor goes over to an adults house, the adult has the potential to be arrested?

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Actually it counts as kidnapping as no parent/guardian was informed about her where abouts.

Poor parents must have gone out of their minds. Happy it ended well.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

It is kidnapping, she is a minor, therefore legally unable to make an informed choice about staying with him.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

So if she were 20, would it still be considered kidnapping?Because in Japan under the age of 21 is still a kid, but in many countries, 18 is an adult. He invited her, she accepted, stayed for a month with the freedom to leave anytime and go back home on her own with no problems. I'm sorry, but that's not kidnapping.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

in Japan under the age of 21 is still a kid

Twenty is a legal adult in Japan, not 21.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

how old was she? high school can be 16 to 19. if 16, it was a crime. if 18, she is old enough to decide. don't agree with sexual predetion, but this should be a matter for social services. why was she desperate to escape her family?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

She could still be as young as 15, not that it matters.

The guy is a scumbag and probably a pedophile.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not sure of the law but this could be based on assumption that as a minor she cannot consent to live with him.  Like statutory rape that even if consent is given nevertheless crime as minor cannot legally consent.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Normal human biology at play here.

Reckless - what a telling statement.

Id like to see people like this enjoy "normal human biology at play" in prison with a 300lb cell mate

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

does that mean that any time a minor goes over to an adults house, the adult has the potential to be arrested?

No, of course not. But if the adult does not contact the minor's parents or authorities, and encourages that minor to stay for a longer period of time (and who knows how he did that for a month - it may have been threatening or emotional bullying rather than supportive), then that he had her best interests at heart is questionable.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

sounds weird, I reckon cops just wanna make an example since they obviously couldnt bother to do any real detective work themselves.

The guy didnt touch her, and just gave her place to stay.. obviously he hoped it would develop further , maybe he was ready to wait till she is legal age.

at 26... he is kinda minor himself really ( atleast in Japanese development levels)

besides, just staying over ... do all of you checking their ids or by teeth ? before inviting over? kinda hard to believe since you cant really tell if she is 15 or 25 and legally not required to have an ID.

I get it if he was an actual predator... other wise .. gimme a break, and parents should be charged with neglect, since there is definitely something wrong at home.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Alex Einz - where did the story state nothing physical happened between the two?

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Whatever his intentions were, he screwed up when he said she was his type.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

he guy is a scumbag and probably a pedophile.

It's a pretty warped view to think that a 26 year old lusting after a high school girl is likely to be a pedophile. This kind of stretching of definitions (as is done with racism, rape, etc.) takes the meaning out of words. Scumbag? Maybe. Most likely just an immature 26 year old with poor judgement.

And the parents? Who knows? They might be horrible, too. Or they might just be struggling with a rebellious teenager - not exactly unheard of.

I think there should be some sort of punishment for the guy. He went out of his way to attract her, and knowingly withheld her whereabouts from her parents. But something short of kidnapping. (Again diluting the meanings of words.)

0 ( +4 / -4 )

clamenza - article specifically mentions unharmed and no sexual contact mentioned which it would if have happened.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Alex Einz - very naive. Coming back in one piece with no injuries doesn't mean he didn't commit statutory rape on a minor.

Commanteer- sorry, adults lose the "immature" card long before they turn 26. He knew what he was doing was dead wrong and now he's going to pay for it.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Id like to see people like this enjoy "normal human biology at play" in prison with a 300lb cell mate

Advocating rape. Classy.

The full story isn't out there; if he is guilty of kidnap and/or assault he should be charged. Playing online judge and jury and inciting violence is foolish, at the very least.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Whatever his intentions were, he screwed up when he said she was his type.

It is unlikely he actually said this.

More likely is that the police said it for him after 12+ hours of interrogation and he just said "yes".

This is a sad and slightly ridiculous case, but it shows why you must be very careful to avoid any contact with police in Japan. If a policeman does not like you, you are going to jail and as a foreigner you will be deported. All police need to do is find any old charge and slap you with it. Once they've done that, it's all over for you. Despite this clearly NOT being a case of kidnapping, he was charged with it and he will be convicted since after prosecution begins the conviction rate is 99%.

Imagine this nightmare scenario:

You're a teacher with your own juku-type school either in an office or your own house. You have a female high school student who's studying late, until around the curfew hour (You all know high school students have a police-enforced curfew in Japan, do you not?). Your student, for whatever reason, fails to inform her parents that she's studying late and won't be home until later. Her parents freak out, call the police. Daughter arrives home at 11pm-midnight. Father demands your arrest to police and won't relent until they arrest you. You go to jail. Foreigner? Jail-trial-immigration jail-deported. End of story. Don't think it could happen? It can and does.

Thanks to the 99% conviction rate after prosecution begins, the hallmark of the farcical justice system in this country, you have NO legal defense. Your best defense is a good offense, in all aspects of life in Japan.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Paradox .

She was out of contact for ONE month with her Family, friends, school, etc.

At no time did she or him try to contact someone.

I had friends of my son seek refuge at my place, but I soon contacted the parents/autorities to let them know and arrange stuff.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I don't see what all the fuss is about. This guy is 26, not 56. What's wrong with a girl in her mid to late teens dating a man in his mid-20's? All those comments about him being pedophile and a creepy kidnapper are unwarranted. Unfortunately, the article does not state if the girl was 15 or 18. Yes, he should have reported her whereabouts to her parents, but I fail to see how it is kidnapping if she stayed by her own free will. Japanese law is a strange thing.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

paradoxboz - (You all know high school students have a police-enforced curfew in Japan, do you not?).

Only until they are 16.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

As others have mentioned, the 26 year old was foolish, but kidnapping this was not. Look at the definition of the word.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Clamenza - I dont think there is enough evidence that sexual intercourse took place. Even so, the girl would have been above the age of consent in many countries around the world. Most of Europe is in the range of 14 to 16. If your opinions of rape and paedophilia are purely set by the statute book in a jurisdiction, fine, but a more nuanced point of view would be helpful.

The same could be said for the charge of kidnapping - she clearly went willingly and while she may not have been at the age of legal majority in Japan, she may well have been grown-up enough to make rational decisions.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

i got no problem with child rapists getting their dues.

Evidently. However, it is incitement to sexual violence. Which makes your concern seem dubious. Or underwhelms it, at the very least.

And was the teen 13 or 18? Was she kidnapped and assaulted? The article doesn't say.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I dont think there is enough evidence that sexual intercourse took place.

Where has any evidence been shown one way or the other that sexual intercourse (or any other sexual interactions) took place or didn't?

Even so, the girl would have been above the age of consent in many countries around the world.

Other countries are irrelevant. The action took place in Japan, so only the laws here would be relevant.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Police said Oshida has admitted to the charge, and quoted him as saying the girl was “his type” and that he invited her to stay with him because he knew from their online conversations that she wanted to leave her home.

Judging from their age, they're like typical millennials umbilically connected to their computers and/or smartphones (probably smartphones). At any rate, I'm glad the girl returned home by herself unharmed. Better to take this occasion and pay more attention in the cyberspace, not to mention, in the physical world.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I don´t see the "kidnapping" here... what are the writers talking about? Bad translation?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Paradox is right (hence the downvotes, I guess). The police have enormous leeway in deciding which laws to enforce, and when and how to enforce them. This means that they can charge basically anyone they want at any time, they'll find a way to do it.

Maybe there was some special detail about this case that warranted a kidnapping charge in the eyes of the police. But the bigger problem is simply that the police have too much power over the justice system in Japan. It is absolutely unjust the way they can target people (like the vagina kayak artist, or the protestors who shared a car rental and were charged with running an unlicensed taxi service).

I always assumed that kidnapping referred to the forceful restraint and imprisonment of a person. If he was being charged with corrupting a minor, it would make more sense.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Id find out What the Parents did to their Daughter to cause this and Give the Guy a medal and make her parents pay for the food and board that he had payed foe

At 18 the Young lady is a Mature adult and Knows what life is all about.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

At 18 the Young lady is a Mature adult and Knows what life is all about.

Think back to when you were that age. Did you 'know what life is all about' then? Certainly not!

I agree with the majority of posters here - this was not kidnapping and he didn't 'entice' her either. He offered to let her stay as long as she needed to be there. She was free to leave at any time.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sounds like a beat up to me..

Nothing to see here...move along now !!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Parents abandoned.  They didn't report when she left home.  If this man reported about her, he would not be in trouble.    Statutory rape does not be applied in this case.  Rape involves. with  sexual. act.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Sex sells. Even presumed sex sells. I've never seen this many comments on a JT article. And I've a feeling that more than a few of the critical comments are actually hypocritical.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Sex sells. Even presumed sex sells. I've never seen this many comments on a JT article. And I've a feeling that more than a few of the critical comments are actually hypocritical.

Wow, a whopping 41 posts.

"I've a feeling that more than a few of the critical comments are actually hypocritical"

Translation: "it's every man's dream to take advantage of a troubled teenage girl for sexual purposes"

very, very greasy thoughts..

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

So if he invited her, and she agreed and was not held against her will or prevented from leaving, how in the hell is that kidnapping? Even if he was attracted to her and though she is a minor she was unharmed so Im assuming there was no rape or intercourse between the two. Just what crimes exactly is the guy guilty of?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

She is described as a minor and a high school girl.

Minors are not legally adults here until 20. High school usually runs from 15 to 18. Since there is no mention of drop-out, we can assume she must be between 15 and 18.

She was away for roughly one month, ie from May 18 till June 18, so she was probably skipping school too, although the article says nothing re her school.

When asked why he invited her home, he answered タイプです or タイプでした = "she was my type", an unforced typical monosyllabic utterance entirely possible in the circumstances. It could equally be translated as "we got along well together". I cannot see the cops forcing him to say that.

As to whether she was kidnapped or not, what else is there to legally charge him with? Unlawful shelter of a minor?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

he enticed a high school girl to live with him

It sounds from the article that the girl would likely be 15 and underage. Therefore the suspect is guilty of grooming.

No sexual activity would be reported to spare the family but any intelligent person can read between the lines.

The most important thing is that the suspect, at age 26, is still able to pass himself off as an "older boyfriend" and make this kind of kidnapping look harmless but it is not. He is a predatory paedophile....

And as he gets older his "victims" will get younger!!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The legal age of consent for sex in Japan is 13, for marriage 16.

Even if she was 18, Godfather, she would still be underage. (Not yet legally an adult.)

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Other countries are irrelevant. The action took place in Japan, so only the laws here would be relevant.

Strangerland - I appreciate that point of view and feel that had already tackled that question in the same post that you responded to:

 If your opinions of rape and paedophilia are purely set by the statute book in a jurisdiction, fine, but a more nuanced point of view would be helpful.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Translation: "it's every man's dream to take advantage of a troubled teenage girl for sexual purposes"

very, very greasy thoughts..

Ugh. Speak for yourself. Do you have the full story yet? Do you know something the rest of us don't?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

what most of the comments do not take into account is the Japanese culture it is such that it tries to avoid problem at all cost. How is this relevant this girl was away from home for one full month lived with somebody else for this one month the parents cannot guarantee what happened. What she did or did not do with the man the parents do not know . When she went missing the parents reported her as missing now that she is back they have to report back to the police. Do the people expect the police to keep quiet and not do anything about it? What happens if the girl becomes pregnant tomorrow or what if within this one month she stayed with him they were both involved in crime the parents should have a way to exonerate themselves. Do not forget that she must have skimped classes within that one month. The police were right to arrest him. within the course of their investigation they may decide not to press charge if nothing unusual-comes up.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Ugh. Speak for yourself. Do you have the full story yet? Do you know something the rest of us don't?

ugh. Common sense

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I strongly doubt he was beaten during his interrogation. Beatings by police are fairly rare in Japan (though they do happen, more than in other developed countries)

What I think is likely is that they asked endless lists of yes or no type questions. "Would you say the girl is your type?" "Uhh, I guess so?" (Interrogator writes: Suspect: "She's my type")

Because interrogations are not recorded in Japan, this gives police free reign to change the transcript of events to their own liking. The person who conducts the interrogation is the same person who writes the transcript, and there are no witnesses other than the suspect and the interrogator. Once the suspect stamps the document with their fingerprint at the end of the interrogation, their fate is sealed.

I don't know what went on at this 26 year old's house, but I do know that when I was a high school everybody including myself knew all about sex and dating someone 10-12 years older was not a big deal. Who cares if they had sex? If they wanted to, who are we to stop them? Since when is it the government's business what people do in their bedrooms? If I had to summarize what I feel about this case I'd have to say "who gives a damn?".

This case looks to me like the parents venting their frustration by having police prosecute the young fella. They probably should look inward and try to evaluate what it is they did to piss off their daughter so much she'd run away from them for such a long period of time. That isn't exactly something routine in a functional family.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

ugh. Common sense

So, nothing at all. Just speculation and an overwhelming urge to lash out.

If the bloke done wrong then he should be locked up. But as yet; there is no basis to assume sexual assault took place. And the age of the teenager has still not been established.

When I was 18 I dated a 26 year old; I knew exactly what I was doing. I was working and living away from home; so obviously not the same set of circumstances. But does the age gap there make my date a monster?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I don't see how giving my opinion on this is "lashing out". That is very melodramatic language you're using.

If my suggestion that the perp is a pedophile offends you, I will acknowledge that certain cultures celebrate the union of adult men and girls as young as , say, 12.

That doesn't mean I have to like it and see it as anything but scandalous though.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I don't see how giving my opinion on this is "lashing out". That is very melodramatic language you're using.

I'd rather be melodramatic than violent in my discourse.

If my suggestion that the perp is a pedophile offends you,

Ah, but there's the crux of the matter. Is he a paedophile and did an assault take place?

I will acknowledge that certain cultures celebrate the union of adult men and girls as young as , say, 12.

For sure and that is not something I (or anyone else here, I imagine) would endorse. But the age gap between the fella and the teen has not been revealed, as of writing.

That doesn't mean I have to like it and see it as anything but scandalous though.

I'll see it as scandalous if it emerges that something bad occured. The article is very vague as to what each person's motivations were. Sure, if you chose to interpret it a certain way; it could appear suspect. Just don't have all the details yet.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"No. a paedophile is an adult attracted to pre-pubescent children."

No. a paedophile is an adult using and abusing children for their own sexual and sadistic pleasure. Paedophiles are neither attracted to, or even like children!!

More importantly, if you are quibbling over definitions you are dangerously missing the point.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Discussion on this thread is now ended.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites