Child Suicide Japan

Parents of bullied girl who committed suicide file damages lawsuit

KIRYU, Gunma -- The parents of a 12-year-old girl who committed suicide after being bullied at school filed a 32 million yen damages lawsuit against the Kiryu Municipal Government and Gunma Prefectural Government on Dec. 27.

The girl, Akiko Uemura, hanged herself at her home on Oct. 23, after she was badmouthed and ignored at school. In their lawsuit, Uemura's parents say that while her teacher was aware of the bullying, no measures were taken to improve the situation. They say that officials' actions ran counter to their responsibility to prevent bullying and take measures to avoid suicide, and argue that the municipal and prefectural governments bear responsibility as operators of the school.

The Kiryu Municipal Government has set up a third-party committee to investigate the connection between bullying and the girl's suicide. However, at a news conference, Uemura's 51-year-old father Ryuji said he couldn't trust the committee.

Parents of bullied girl who committed suicide file damages lawsuit - The Mainichi Daily News