Police decide not to press charges against thieving sisters

So I guess trying to ''scare straight'' delinquents doesn't exist here? Try showing them what a day in a Japanese jail would be like and I guarantee they will never pull that kind of stuff again.

please someone grow a pair and prosecute this pair of delinquents!

or are they the police commissioners daughters?

Given how thorougly the police here like to establish every little detail in interviews after an accident, I'm guessing baachan was already 'mou ii ' of the 'mendokusai' chatting and just wanted to go home.

The larceny I can understand and even forgive. It's the stolen bike that worries me. That's worth a lot more than 4k.

pawatan: Teenagers certainly do not NEED a message to do crime, but you have to agree this "slap-on-the-wrist" doesn't help. They had no intention of confessing until caught, so how much money/vehicles do they have to steal to be held responsible for their actions? How about their parents being held responsible? Not necessarily jail, but a fine, community service, or similar corrective action is acceptable.

If this "miscarriage of justice" is national news then this country is in much better shape than I thought.

Perhaps it's in worse shape. Perhaps it's a ploy to divert your eyes from the BIG crimes. Perhaps this is the J-police displaying that they are capable of catching teenagers wearing hot pink in broad daylight.

Maybe it doesn't work that way in Japanese law.

Can you imagine being robbed, then being told by the police you can't press charges because they don't want to? I'm no Master of Law, but doesn't that seem odd?

This is so freaking funny!! Theft, auto theft, joyriding, underage driving, driving without a license, "We are sorry, we wont do it again"....that $#!+ really works (plus they probably were two cute little girls in pink outfits, the kind pervs like to look at). incrediable work j-cops....you out did yourself again.

The tally: Motorcycle theft, driving without a license and purse stealing.

... riding without helmets, I suppose. Surely they could have stolen something for lunch too but gasoline would be a bit more difficult.

Shouldn't it really be the woman who chooses to press charges, and not the police?!

Maybe it doesn't work that way in Japanese law.

It makes headlines on Japan Today because of unfair treatment from the police. Basically these girls got off scott-free for premeditated petty theft, sending the wrong message to teenagers in Japan. If they were 2 boys, they would be under normal punishment.

You think teenagers in Japan need "a message" to push limits and do bad stuff? That's what alot of kids do. Most aren't thrown in the clink anywhere in the world, and those who don't get in trouble certainly aren't getting splashed all over the national news.

If this "miscarriage of justice" is national news then this country is in much better shape than I thought.

So... hang on... trying to process....... why was it they were not charged again? Because it was only ¥4000 they stole from a senior? because it was only ¥4000 they stole from a senior on a stolen bike? because it was only ¥4000 they stole from a senior on a stolen bike 'for fun'?

Good job, J-cops! I'm sure these girls will take you letting them go as a sign that they need to stop any wrong doings from now and will never do anything wrong again.

Yowza... this country is really going to the dogs.

"the underground parking lot at JR Fussa Station"

When did they build that?

"why not pressing charges?"

Probably because they are too cute!

"We won't do it again"

For some crazy reason, I believe them.

why not pressing charges?

Only in Japan (actually that is just a guess) can a 19 year old get a 13 year old to commit a crime and not get charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Nineteen year olds should know better. Charge her for all and let the 13 year old visit her in the detention centre. THAT will teach her a lesson.

I wonder if the interrogating officers used their "nightsticks".

Yes, young offenders do neeD another chance. 'AND I MEAN ONLY ONE CHANCE.'

I agree with Molenir. Give young first offenders a second chance.

mindovermatter -- well said. But at least things are consistent here. Rich guys from Waseda commit gang rape and get off with suspended sentences, and cute girls don't even get arrested. The moral being that it does not matter what you did, it just matters who you are.

Future career criminals...

The tally: Motorcycle theft, driving without a license and purse stealing.

pawatan: It makes headlines on Japan Today because of unfair treatment from the police. Basically these girls got off scott-free for premeditated petty theft, sending the wrong message to teenagers in Japan. If they were 2 boys, they would be under normal punishment. Shouldn't it really be the woman who chooses to press charges, and not the police?!

Alternatively, if those girls were non-Japanese they'd most likely be tried normally. We all are not equal under the law, which is to be expected anywhere, but here in Japan it's not even attempted to be "swept under the rug"

probably gave the girls a good ol' frisking just to be sure

This makes absolutely no sense at all.... Not unlike the way Japan does business on a daily basis.... Leave common-sense and reasoning at the door before you leave your house in the morning... It has no place in Japan...

What should happen is that the police do their fricken duty and process this as a crime... The girls obviously aren't going to go to prison, but they will get counseling and meet with Juvenile authorities... Otherwise you probably read about these same two in a few years "dsposing of a body" or some other ridiculous crime...

More excellent work by the keystone cops.

Excellent! I need some extra cash - I am going to try this!

Oh, wait, no, not cute enough. Oh well....

Is this story about the girl's delinquent behavior, or the sloppy police work?

I am pretty sure I am going to get crap for this, but I bet the cop is going to get some type of special service at least that is why he let them go.

well - that`s the way to teach them a lesson!!! nothing less than the suspended sentences handed out daily.

Hey I'm gonna try it and say sorry......i wonder how that would go down?

Most of us will never understand Japanese logic

it doesn't exist

if "sorry" would suffice for everything .. we don't need the police

Sooo, extremely minor petty theft is national news now? And people complain about the degradation of safety in Japanese society.

Most of us will never understand Japanese logic.

Just because these kids are kids and they are "sorry" is not an excuse for letting them off. They should be charged to the full extent of any and all laws that apply to this case.

I have to disagree here. Kids are kids. When it comes down to it, no one was injured, the money is recovered or repaid. They've had a scare with the law, said they won't do it again. If they do something like this ever again, then sure, hold their feet to the fire. Otherwise, giving em a warning seems about right. Kids do dumb things when they're young. The vast majority of them grow up to be fine adults, who've learned from their mistakes.

They got let off why? Because they are cute and said sorry?

The pink sweatsuits got them off the charges and i bet they are very cute

wonder what they gave the cops in order to get off

The 13-year-old should have been at school! I hope they give her a good waterboarding.

Driving/Riding under the age, theft, what else can we think of?

Just because these kids are kids and they are "sorry" is not an excuse for letting them off. They should be charged to the full extent of any and all laws that apply to this case.

With the stolen money, the girls purchased gasoline for the motorbike as well as lunches.

What did they have for lunch?

That's ok but... why? May be police is not suppose to give reason(?)

So as long as you're having fun, say you won't do it again, and are (a possibly cute, young) female, you can get away with robbery? Nice one!