People tend to make light of bullying. Sending the message that bullying could constitute a crime can serve as a deterrent.

 I completely agree, and not only that, but schools should also add (new) classes, even if just temporary, and talk about compassion, kindness, mutual understanding, insecurities (because that’s what bullies are: insecure), etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

well said

Unfortunately, bullying is fairly ingrained in J society. The whole senpai-kohai tradition seems based on it.

absolutely

Absolutely…; another example: the annoying Japanese comedy duos aka manzai; the tsukkomi repeatedly hits the boke in the head because… he’s “dumb”; ( the tsukkomi is generally the smarter and more reasonable of the unit, and will criticize, verbally and physically abuse, and generally rail at the boke for their mistakes and exaggerations; a typical tsukkomi often slaps the boke on the back of the head, an action always accompanied by an intentionally cheesy slapping sound effect ); this reflects what’s happening (daily) in Japan…, many Japanese people (young and old) are the “tsukkomi“ and they verbally and physically abuse the “boke”, unfairly, and in many cases, well, most of the time, the “bokes” still bow, apologize and “proudly” take the blame. As for what the gentleman said (“ People tend to make light of bullying. Sending the message that bullying could constitute a crime can serve as a deterrent. “), I completely agree, and not only that, but schools should also add (new) classes, even if just temporary, and talk about compassion, kindness, mutual understanding, insecurities (because that’s what bullies are: insecure), etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

People tend to make light of bullying.

This man's son was bullied at school, suggesting that "people" here refers to the school. Presumably the school must have known but did not act to protect the child.

Unfortunately, bullying is fairly ingrained in J society. The whole senpai-kohai tradition seems based on it.

absolutely

Unfortunately, bullying is fairly ingrained in J society. The whole senpai-kohai tradition seems based on it.

Crime or not, anyone below the age of 20 can't go to jail.

That is correct, but don't they have detention centers here for underage criminals?

Crime or not, anyone below the age of 20 can't go to jail.

Bullying is assault.

People tend to make light of bullying. Sending the message that bullying could constitute a crime can serve as a deterrent.

agree 100%. Make bullying a CRIME alongside stalking and have more stringent laws in place to deal with both.