"Another School Violence Video Emerges" This Time Okinawa in Uproar

Another Violence Video Emerges from Okinawa
Japanese Education Authorities Issue Apologies as Controversy Grows
Loopholes in Punishment System Highlighted Amid Video Releases

In Japan, a series of unidentified 'social networking service (SNS) school violence expos? accounts' have been sharing videos of school violence, leading to growing social controversy. Recently, another video of school violence, believed to have occurred in Okinawa, was posted, once again provoking public outrage in Japanese society. On January 13, Yonhap News TV reported that an unidentified 'SNS expos? account' has been continuously releasing videos related to school violence, sparking ongoing debate.

The video showed a male student indiscriminately assaulting another student with punches and kicks, while surrounding students were captured not stopping the fight but watching and laughing. X (formerly Twitter)

Recently, the account released a video with descriptions such as "the victim's head was slammed against a rock" and "the perpetrator continued to assault the unresisting victim." The video captured a male student indiscriminately assaulting another student with punches and kicks, while surrounding students were seen watching and laughing instead of intervening. Japanese netizens who watched the video reacted strongly, saying, "They must be held accountable before entering society," and "It feels more like watching a brutal comic than reality."

This account has recently released school violence videos from various regions in Japan, including Fukui and Tochigi Prefectures. As the controversy grew, the schools involved issued official apologies one after another. A high school in Fukui Prefecture stated, "We deeply apologize regarding the video that spread online," and added, "We are sharing information and responding in cooperation with the board of education and the police." In the previously released so-called 'bathroom school violence' video from Tochigi Prefecture, several students are seen surrounding the victim while the perpetrator unilaterally assaults the victim in sync with a signal, which caused shock. It is reported that the police investigation into this incident began following a third-party report.

In the so-called 'bathroom school violence' video from Tochigi Prefecture released to the public, several students are seen surrounding the victim while the perpetrator unilaterally assaults the victim in sync with a signal. X (formerly Twitter)

According to Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the number of recognized school violence cases in Japan has been increasing in recent years, reaching record-high levels. In particular, the widespread use of smartphones and the proliferation of SNS have led to more cases of violent acts being filmed and shared, turning what was once a problem confined to schools into an issue affecting society as a whole. There are also concerns that the types of violence are becoming more brutal and organized, evolving from simple verbal abuse to group assaults and the filming and dissemination of such acts.

In Japan, when the perpetrator is a minor, the Juvenile Act is applied, prioritizing protective measures over criminal punishment. While schools can impose disciplinary actions such as suspension or expulsion, there has been criticism that, in practice, punishments often amount to nothing more than guidance or the submission of written reflections. Although the recent release of videos has led to expanded police investigations, there are also growing concerns about so-called 'private sanctions,' in which angry netizens uncover and spread the personal information of perpetrators on SNS, raising further human rights issues.