50. Junko Furuta: The Crime That Shook Japan and Changed Juvenile Law

In this episode of the *Salattu* podcast, Liisa discusses the 1988 Junko Furuta case, a horrifying crime in Japan that shocked the nation and led to reforms in juvenile law. Junko, a high school student, was kidnapped by a group of boys in Tokyo and held captive for 41 days. During this time, she was subjected to brutal torture, rape, and eventually murder. Despite her cries for help, those who could have intervened did not, and her captors' families ignored her suffering. After her death, her body was concealed in a cement-filled barrel. The perpetrators, all minors, received relatively light sentences due to Japan's juvenile laws, sparking public outrage. This led to changes in the law, reducing protections for juvenile offenders and allowing their identities to be made public. Liisa reflects on the tragic failure of bystanders to act and how this case left a lasting scar on Japanese society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.