Key Facts
• In 2016, a junior high school girl in Kakogawa City, Hyogo, committed suicide due to bullying.
• A third-party committee confirmed bullying in her class and extracurricular activities as the cause.
• One year prior, the club advisor investigated bullying but dismissed it as “member conflict.”
• The advisor discarded investigation notes and falsely claimed they were “lost” to the committee.
• The bereaved family filed a lawsuit against the city, seeking 77 million yen in damages.
• In April 2025, the court proposed a settlement, which was finalized on June 25, 2025.
• The city agreed to pay 3 million yen in settlement money and issued an apology.
• The family expressed regret, believing the suicide could have been prevented.
• The family urged teachers to prioritize student safety and called for reforms in the education board.
• The settlement did not legally determine the school’s responsibility but acknowledged its shortcomings.
Summary
A settlement was reached on June 25, 2025, between the bereaved family of a junior high school girl who committed suicide in 2016 due to bullying and Kakogawa City, Hyogo. The city agreed to pay 3 million yen and apologized for its inadequate response. A third-party investigation confirmed bullying as the cause, but the school advisor had dismissed the issue and mishandled evidence. The family, initially seeking 77 million yen in damages, expressed regret that the tragedy could have been prevented and called for systemic changes to prioritize student safety. The settlement acknowledged the school’s failings but did not establish legal liability.
