Japanese authorities’ decision to prosecute a 17-year-old girl who died by suicide, resulting in the death of another woman, has sparked widespread controversy. The tragic accident occurred on August 31 at the Nuoman shopping complex above Yokohama Station. according to South China Morning Post, A teenage girl from Chiba Prefecture climbed the 2.5 meter glass barrier on the 12th floor and jumped from the west side of the building. She fell upon 32-year-old Chikako Chiba, who was hanging out with friends. Both were taken to a local hospital, where the teenage girl was declared dead within an hour. Chiba also died of his injuries that same evening.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the student died by suicide, although the motive was unclear. Yokohama police handed the case over to prosecutors, recommending that charges be filed. Police argued that the 17-year-old girl was of an age where she could understand that her actions could cause harm to others. As a result, the dead teen has been charged with “gross negligence causing death”, according to state broadcaster NHK.
The decision has been widely debated on social media. Many said that pursuing charges against the deceased teen was unnecessary and a misallocation of resources, as it serves no practical purpose. However, legal experts suggest that although the girl may not be held legally responsible for the gross negligence charge that caused the death, the prosecution could have an impact on potential civil claims filed by the victim’s family. Additionally, it can serve as a deterrent to others, warning them against actions that endanger the lives of innocent people during suicide attempts.
One user wrote, “Prosecuting a dead girl is the height of government ridiculousness – bureaucrats are so obsessed with following their rigid, outdated rules that they have completely lost touch with common sense and human decency.”
Another commented, “This is just another way to punish the parents and family of a 17 year old. This was a terrible accident and, honestly, it doesn’t make any sense.” A third said, “It seems like they are trying to discourage this behavior in a country known for high suicide rates.”
