Mother Sues Japanese Police Over Teen Daughter’s Death Following Detention
A grieving mother is suing Hyogo Prefectural Police for 109 million yen, alleging that her daughter's 18-day detention led to a fatal eating disorder.
POLICY WIRE — Hyogo, Japan — A grieving mother has launched a lawsuit against the Hyogo Prefectural Police, alleging that the unlawful detention of her 16-year-old daughter directly contributed to the teenager’s death. The legal proceedings, which began this week, center on the 18 days the girl, identified as Runa, spent in a police cell last year.
Runa was detained on June 17 on suspicion of assault at a care home operated by her mother, Yoko. According to her mother, the teenager had attempted to stop an agitated resident from biting others by placing her hand near the individual’s chin. Runa was never formally charged with a crime.
During her incarceration, Runa was barred from seeing her mother due to a court-approved request from prosecutors who feared potential evidence tampering. In a series of notes written during her confinement, the teenager expressed profound distress, writing, “Please, I beg you. I want to see my mom,” and questioning why she was being held despite having done nothing wrong.
Following her release, Runa was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered from a severe loss of appetite. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and she passed away five months later at a weight of approximately 20 kilograms. Her mother is now seeking 109 million yen, or roughly $700,000, in damages.
The case has reignited criticism of Japan’s controversial hostage justice system, which allows for the prolonged detention of suspects without charge. While Japanese law dictates that minors should only be incarcerated when absolutely unavoidable, defense attorney Megumi Wada noted that this term lacks a clear legal definition, leaving it open to broad interpretation by authorities.
Government statistics indicate that over 6,000 suspects under the age of 20 were detained in 2024, with 4,000 of those held for more than 15 days. Despite the public outcry, the Hyogo Prefectural Police declined to comment on the specifics of the case, stating only that their position would be clarified during the ongoing court proceedings.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
