A 12-Year-Old Girl Pressured into a False Confession by Police: A Miscarriage of Justice in Hyogo, Japan

This article is based on a report by The Asahi Shimbun:

■「12歳の自白」（前編）　警察が密室で追及し、「自白」を押しつける――。多くの冤罪（えんざい）を生んできたこの構図に、12歳の女児が巻き込まれる事態が昨年、兵庫県で起きていた。■突然、警察から電話が…

Introduction
Sudden Call from the Police
Coerced Confession
Discovery of False Accusation
Issues Revealed
Why She Confessed
What Parents Should Do

Introduction

This article explains a troubling case in Hyogo Prefecture, where a 12-year-old girl was subjected to a lengthy police interrogation and coerced into making a false confession.

Sudden Call from the Police

In late February last year, a mother in Hyogo received a sudden phone call from the police asking her to bring in her 12-year-old daughter, then a sixth-grade elementary school student. The reason was not disclosed, and the mother, filled with anxiety, took her daughter to the police station.

Upon arrival, the mother was informed that her daughter was suspected of touching a male classmate’s genitals multiple times. However, the girl consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Coerced Confession

The girl was interrogated by a female officer for more than three and a half hours. During this time, she was repeatedly told things like “There’s no way you don’t remember.” Eventually, she was pressured into writing a statement admitting to acts she did not commit and was made to stamp her fingerprint and sign the document.

Discovery of False Accusation

Later, the mother consulted a lawyer and confronted the police. The police then revealed that they had begun to doubt the male classmate’s allegations. Ultimately, the boy’s claim was found to be false.

Issues Revealed

This incident exposed that police did not follow official rules set by the National Public Safety Commission. These regulations state that law enforcement should not cause unnecessary stress or anxiety to minors, should avoid lengthy questioning, and should allow for a guardian to be present. Experts also warned that such long interrogations of children could easily lead to false confessions.

Why She Confessed

The girl said, “I wasn’t allowed to go home, and I started to think maybe I had forgotten something and that it was my fault.” The psychological pressure during the interrogation played a significant role in her false confession.

What Parents Should Do

If a child is called in by the police, it is essential for parents to consult a lawyer immediately. A lawyer’s presence during questioning can prevent unjust or improper interrogation practices.