Universitätsstudent stirbt nach Gruppenangriff in Ebetsu, Hokkaido: 16-Jähriger und 18-Jähriger werden der Staatsanwaltschaft übergeben

A juvenile hearing was held on 7 January for a 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man involved in the death of a university student following a group assault in Ebetsu City, Hokkaido. The Sapporo Family Court decided to send the two suspects to prosecutors, a process known as a ‘reverse transfer’.

The incident occurred in October 2024 at a park in Ebetsu, where 20-year-old university student Tomoya Hase was assaulted by a group and died, with his credit card and other belongings being stolen. Six individuals, including both men and women, were arrested in connection with the crime.

Accused Individuals: Yagihara and Kawamura
Tomoya Hase’s girlfriend, 20-year-old Ama Yagihara, and 20-year-old Hane Kawamura were already indicted on charges of robbery resulting in death and fraud. Additionally, a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old male high school student were transferred to prosecutors under the reverse transfer system.

18-Year-Old Man to be Sent for Prosecution
Both the 16-year-old and the 18-year-old, who were part-time workers, were previously sent to Sapporo Family Court on charges of robbery resulting in death and other offences. On 7 January, the court decided to transfer the case to prosecutors. This means that all four juveniles involved have now been subject to reverse transfer, and prosecutors will decide whether to file charges against them.

As of now, the Sapporo Family Court has not disclosed the reasons for the reverse transfer.