Junko Furuta: A Tragic Story

Introduction

• Junko Furuta, a 17-year-old Japanese girl, kidnapped, tortured, and raped.
• Case highlights a dark past in Japan despite its current pop culture image.

Background

• Year: 1988
• Junko was a student at Yashio Minami High School.
  • Described as friendly, pretty, and kind.
  • Had good academic performance and part-time job.
• Hiroshi Miyano, a bully linked to the Yakuza, was infatuated with Junko.
  • Proposed to her, but she politely refused.
  • His reaction was to seek revenge.

The Kidnapping

• Date: November 25, 1988
• Incident: Junko was attacked by Shinji Minato on Hiroshi's orders.
• Hiroshi pretended to help her and instead kidnapped her.
• Taken to an abandoned warehouse; threatened if she made noise.
• Junko's family filed a missing person report two days later.

The Torture

• Junko was forced to call home to say she was okay.
• Held captive for 44 days.
• Subjected to extreme brutality:
  • Raped by over 100 different boys (over 500 times).
  • Physical torture included beatings, being hung upside down, and severe mutilation.
  • Forced to consume urine and cockroaches.
• Final act of torture:
  • On January 4, 1989, set on fire with lighter fluid, lasting two hours.

Discovery and Arrest

• After her death, the culprits attempted to dispose of her body.
• Arrested on January 23, 1989, during an unrelated investigation.
• Confessed to Junko's murder during police interrogation, believing they were discussing another case.

Court Proceedings

• Pleaded guilty in court but received light sentences due to being minors:
  • Hiroshi: 17 years, later increased to 20 years.
  • Shinji: 5 to 9 years.
  • Yasushi: 5 to 7 years.
  • Joe: 8 years.
• Public outrage over the leniency of the sentences.
• Junko's parents filed a civil suit against the parents of the boys and won.

Memorial and Legacy

• Junko's funeral took place on April 2, 1989, attended by many.
• A heartfelt memorial was written by a school friend.
• Junko's diploma was awarded posthumously to her parents at graduation.
• Case remains one of the most brutal torture cases in history, with ongoing tributes to Junko.