Viral Bullying Video Sparks Outrage in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture

A disturbing video of school bullying in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, has gone viral on social media platforms, sparking widespread public outrage. The 9-second clip shows a male student being violently assaulted by another student in a school restroom. The incident occurred at a public high school in the region.

According to reports from Japanese media outlets, the video was uploaded to platform X and quickly racked up over 100 million views within days. In the footage, the attacker is seen cornering the victim and repeatedly punching and kicking him, primarily targeting his face and head. Shockingly, seven other students were present at the scene, not only failing to intervene but also laughing and mocking the victim.

Following the video's exposure, the school administration and local education authorities received numerous complaints and demands for action. Japanese law enforcement agencies have since launched an investigation into the matter. Authorities confirmed that the video was recorded last month, and the alleged perpetrator has admitted to the assault, expressing remorse.

In response to public backlash, the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education issued a statement promising to prevent similar incidents in the future and provide appropriate support for the victim. The case has drawn significant attention from various sectors of society, with many calling for stricter measures against school violence.

Prominent figures such as Goro Kyoko, CEO of the economic and entertainment program 'REAL VALUE,' have condemned the actions captured in the video. Kyoko expressed his outrage on platform X, stating that it is utterly despicable to target someone who cannot fight back and that the bystanders' laughter is equally appalling.

Television personality and producer Hiroyuki Hasegawa emphasized that this incident constitutes a clear case of physical harm and called for the immediate arrest of the perpetrator. He also addressed the victim directly, praising his restraint in not retaliating and urging him to continue his school life with confidence.

Hiroyuki's comments were echoed by former police detective Satoru Sasaguchi, who stressed that such acts of violence are completely unacceptable. Sasaguchi also warned against the dangers of online vigilantism, stating that publicly sharing personal information about the perpetrator is not an appropriate solution to the problem of school bullying.

The incident has reignited discussions on how to effectively address and prevent school violence in Japan.