A Young Girl's Ordeal in a Japanese Police Interrogation

A young girl, accompanied by her mother, was released after being questioned for three and a half hours by the Hyogo prefectural police. The interrogation led to a false confession regarding sexual-related allegations.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about closed-door interrogations conducted by police and prosecutors in Japan. Despite some improvements in transparency, the incident in Hyogo Prefecture suggests that investigators still heavily rely on confessions, even when dealing with a sixth-grade elementary school student.

In late February 2024, the mother received a call from the police, instructing her to bring her daughter to the station. The police initially declined to disclose the reason for the request. Upon arrival, the daughter was separated from her mother and taken to a small room. The mother was later informed that her daughter was accused of inappropriately touching a male classmate.

The girl was questioned for three and a half hours. During the interrogation, she repeatedly denied the allegations, stating she did not remember the events. Eventually, she was instructed to write a statement about what she had allegedly done and how she felt. Under pressure, she signed the statement and provided her fingerprint.

The girl later explained that she confessed because she felt pressured and wanted to go home. The parents subsequently demanded a retraction of the confession. The police's response was confusing, stating they were beginning to doubt the victim's report. Eventually, the police admitted the victim's report was false.

The parents protested the treatment they and their daughter received. The police took photos of the girl, but refused to retract the confession, claiming the questioning was not illegal. The case is reminiscent of the high-profile case of Iwao Hakamata, who was wrongly convicted based on a confession obtained through harsh interrogations.

Experts note that juveniles and individuals with intellectual disabilities are considered vulnerable during police questioning. They may struggle to express themselves clearly and could be easily influenced by interrogators. Regulations exist to protect juveniles, but they lack specific standards for determining what constitutes wrongful behavior.

Legal experts argue that the Hyogo Prefecture case was problematic, as the extended questioning of a child separated from her parents likely caused anxiety and led to a false confession. The susceptibility of juveniles under 14, who tend to accept what police tell them to say, has not been adequately addressed.

If a child under 14 is forced to make a false statement about a suspected accomplice in a crime, that person, whether minor or adult, could face criminal charges. Legal professionals advise consulting with a lawyer if a child is to be questioned by the police. Lawyers can be present during questioning and advocate for the child's fair treatment.