5 boys face charges over sand bath game

Wednesday 28th January, 05:56 AM JST

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hoserfella at 12:14 PM JST - 28th January

game, my a**. Ill bet in the next few weeks it comes out that the 18 year old was being bullied.
WilliB at 12:36 PM JST - 28th January

From we know, this was not a crime. Just plain, mind-boggling, stupidity.
medievaltimes at 01:30 PM JST - 28th January

A teacher spotted the student do dig him out.

Sooooo what did the other kids do when the victim was asking for help, passing out etc? Did they just leave the scene?

Bullying perhaps?
meanmutha at 01:57 PM JST - 28th January

by nature the japanese lack empathy
memyselfI at 03:46 PM JST - 28th January

This happened Saturday or Sunday in the afternoon. Usually, the ( Elementary School Teachers ) staff is not there on the weekends. I remind you these are Junior High School Kids. They are to old for Elementary School. And the staff shouldn't watch their behavior because they graduated from that school. The staff is not supposed to babysit them. Plus who would want to be buried in sand when it is freezing cold outside. This child was bullied.
paisley at 04:26 PM JST - 28th January

The article says "5 jr. HS boys allegedly suffocated a classmate". It also said that all the kids were going to do this and no ill will was intended so that seems to rule out bullying. If this wasnt a malicious act, but purely an accident, these boys shouldnt be charged. They were just having fun with no idea that their game could become a tragedy. This shouldnt be held against them. Older kids than this can knowingly steal and bully but police will do nothing, yet an innocent game among friends that goes wrong can put boys in jail. What sort of justice is that? Its insane! As for the elementary school, the article doesnt say it was an elementary school but schools are public property. In my old neighborhood, anyone from toddlers through adults could be seen playing on the elementary school grounds on weekends and after school. I dont know about my new neighborhood since the school is far from my house.
LFRAgain at 05:29 PM JST - 28th January

they are kids. It is not their fault. The adults must bear responsibility

Yes, adults must bear some responsibility for not properly supervising the students, but this not being the kids' fault?

It's entirely their fault. They thought up this asinine game, they dug the hole, they put their "friend" into it, and their friend is now lying an a coma - since November. It's absolutely these kids' fault.
BBLeo at 06:49 PM JST - 28th January

A teacher spotted the game... Are you telling us that school grounds aren’t supervised? What sort of education system is this in Japan? When children are in schools are parents also responsible for them? I say: 'SUE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR NEGLIGENCE.' KIDS CAN'T BE PUNISHED IN FULL FOR THEIR GAME BUT HEADS OF TEACHERS SHOULD ROLL.
Ageha at 08:38 PM JST - 28th January

Everyone on JT always says "wheres the parents? wheres the supervision? etc etc" which sometimes is warrented... but in some cases, people just need to be responsable. Mommy cant be wiping your bottom forever...

I agree. And 13 year old isn't really a kid..girls can be mothers and boys can be dads at that age, not a kid anymore. They should at least know that sand in the mouth isn't going to help anyone. No need for 24 hours surveillance or else they will kill themselves 'accidentally'.
airrunwesker at 10:11 PM JST - 28th January

Other popular games... 1. who can hold their breath the longest. 2. playing chicken with the trains! 3. making fun of a girl who is really good at Kung Fu and who also has a short temper! 4. letting your friends dig a whole and burry you alive in the sand! and my favorite 5. "who can hit the softest"!
usaexpat at 12:33 AM JST - 29th January

I guess you have to charge them with being stupid junior high school boys. This isn't a crime it's a tragedy brought on by youthful stupidity.
adaydream at 12:47 AM JST - 29th January

I don't think that putting these boys in prison would do and good.

However, something needs to be done, not to punish but to educate.

Yes, boys will be boys, but still boys need to think about the results of seemingly innocent games. They could be used in a public service announcement to think before you play games that could result in death or serious accidents. < :-)
pandachan at 07:09 AM JST - 29th January

woah... this is rediculous! they're in jr. high and didn't mean any harm i'm sure. still and all, I wouldn't let my friends bury me in sand... lol
huggyssupreme at 10:51 AM JST - 29th January

Just how deep was this sandbox and why?
Sarge at 12:46 PM JST - 31st January

"mindboggling stupidity"

That about sums it up.