"What Is He Doing Behind the Girl?" Three Subway Photos Ignite Japan's Juvenile Offender Debate

In Japan, controversy surrounding the juvenile offender system has intensified after photos showing a boy-presumed to be an elementary school student-illegally filming were shared on social media. In Korea as well, discussions are expanding in both countries as the government is considering lowering the age threshold for juvenile offenders amid a rise in youth crime.

On March 16, according to Yonhap News TV, three photos, reportedly taken inside a subway and accompanied by the caption "An elementary school student secretly filming," have sparked heated debate in Japan.

Photo unrelated to the article content. Pixabay

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In particular, the photos show a boy putting his mobile phone between the skirt of a school-uniformed girl from behind and then putting it back in his pocket. The camera's flash is seen going off during the act. The post went viral, surpassing 10 million views in a single day, and generated widespread criticism and concern online.

Furthermore, as speculation arose that the bag the boy was carrying belonged to a specific elementary school, debate has continued regarding the age of the suspected perpetrator and the possibility of punishment under the juvenile offender system. Like Korea, Japan defines those under 14 years old as juvenile offenders who are not subject to criminal punishment. As a result, even if a crime is committed, they receive protective measures or correctional actions instead of criminal penalties.

Recently in Japan, criticism of the juvenile offender system has also intensified after a junior high school student assaulted an elementary school student and threw them into the sea, yet was not criminally prosecuted. Japanese netizens are calling for system reform, stating that "compulsory correction is necessary" and "clear standards for punishment are needed."

Discussions on reforming the juvenile offender system are accelerating not only in Japan but also in Korea. The government is actively considering lowering the age threshold for juvenile offenders from under 14 to under 13. This discussion began after a recent cabinet meeting called for a review of the juvenile offender system. The system, in place for over 70 years since the enactment of the Criminal Act in 1953, stipulates that offenders aged 10 or older but under 14 are subject to protective measures via family court instead of criminal punishment.

According to statistics from the National Police Agency, the number of apprehensions of juvenile offenders aged 10 to 13 exceeded 20,000 for the first time in 2024, reaching 20,814 cases annually. In particular, sex crimes such as rape and molestation have more than doubled, increasing from 398 cases in 2021 to 883 cases in 2024. The Asia Business Daily

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However, with the recent increase in youth crime, the demand for reform is growing. According to statistics from the National Police Agency, the number of apprehensions of juvenile offenders aged 10 to 13 exceeded 20,000 for the first time in 2024, reaching 20,814 cases. Notably, sex crimes such as rape and molestation more than doubled, increasing from 398 cases in 2021 to 883 cases in 2024. As youth crime has expanded from simple violence and theft to serious offenses such as murder, robbery, and sex crimes, calls for stricter punishment have grown louder.

However, human rights organizations argue that lowering the juvenile age has not been proven to directly prevent crime and that a cautious approach is necessary. They insist that policies should prioritize education and correction rather than harsher punishment. Meanwhile, the age of criminal responsibility varies by country. In the UK, criminal responsibility begins at age 10, while in the US, it is set at age 11 under federal law, though individual states have their own standards. Japan, like Korea, defines those under 14 years old as juvenile offenders.

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