Prosecutors seek 27-year term in Hokkaido student murder trial
NHK reports that prosecutors have requested a 27-year prison sentence for a 23-year-old defendant accused of killing a 17-year-old high school student in Asahikawa, Hokkaido.
Prosecutors in the trial of a 23-year-old man accused of murdering a 17-year-old high school student have formally requested a 27-year prison sentence. The hearing took place on June 8, 2026, in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, where the defendant faces charges related to the death of the teenager two years prior.
According to NHK, the prosecution characterised the incident as "extremely cruel and malicious." The case centres on allegations that the defendant pushed the victim from a bridge into a river within a valley in Asahikawa. The victim was a high school student at the time of the offence.
The defence counsel has raised objections to the prosecution's narrative. Reports from June 3, 2026, indicate that the defence disputed aspects of the prosecution's account, describing certain claims as fabricated. This stands in contrast to statements made by the defendant on June 4, 2026, in which he expressed remorse for taking someone's life.
The legal proceedings highlight the diverging positions between the state and the defence. While the prosecution seeks a significant custodial term based on the severity of the act, the defence continues to challenge the factual basis of the allegations presented by the court.
The final sentence remains subject to judicial determination. The court has not yet issued a verdict or ruling on the prosecution's request, and the case remains active within the Hokkaido legal system.
