MIE: A series of disruptive incidents has been occurring across Japan involving individuals breaking into police boxes, shouting loudly or provoking police officers before fleeing. The acts are believed to have been inspired by videos circulating on social media.
As responding to this kind of disruptive behaviour risks delaying assistance for those who genuinely need it, police authorities intend to take a strict stance, saying such acts cannot be dismissed as mere pranks. They have already arrested several individuals on charges of trespassing and forcible obstruction of business.
Videos posted on the video-sharing app TikTok show people breaking into buildings believed to be police boxes, shouting and causing a commotion, or dialling the 110 emergency number from public payphones and yelling “Shorinji”.
In October, the Mie Prefectural Police arrested three high school students, aged 16 to 18, on suspicion of trespassing after they entered an unmanned police box in Tsu City without permission and jumped up and down on the counter.
Security camera footage showed them shouting phrases such as “Shorinji-ja (It’s Shorinji)!” They reportedly told police: “We saw a video on social media and thought we’d try it ourselves.”
It is unclear what “Shorinji” refers to, but according to the prefectural police, 24 similar incidents of disruptive behaviour were confirmed in the prefecture over a one-month period beginning in late September. At least five people, including junior high school students, were taken into custody.
An official from the prefectural police’s community affairs division said: “This cannot be dismissed as mere mischief. We will deal with it strictly.”
In Miyagi Prefecture, five high school students were referred to prosecutors in May on suspicion of violating the minor offences law, among other charges, for firing rocket fireworks at police boxes in Rifu Town and Natori City.
During questioning, they reportedly said: “We wanted to make the police chase us.”
The incident is believed to have been a malicious prank known as “police tag”, a game of tag in which participants provoke police officers before fleeing.
Underlying this trend is the spread of videos depicting such disruptive behaviour on social media.
It appears that some young people find the acts amusing and are repeatedly copying them.
Arrests have also been made in Hokkaido, while in Hyogo Prefecture, even younger elementary school students were among those taken into custody.
The Toyama Prefectural Police took five minors into custody in September and October for making prank calls to the 110 emergency number and shouting phrases such as “It’s Shorinji”. They were suspected of violating the minor offences law through forcible obstruction of business.
“These acts can delay responses to people who truly need help, and in some cases, they can be life-threatening. We urge them to stop immediately,” a Toyama prefectural police officer said.
The company that operates TikTok, where the videos were posted, told reporters that it had strengthened its review system by adding keywords such as “Shorinji” and “police tag” to its screening criteria.
“Behaviours that obstruct the work of the police or other authorities, or that could lead to crime, are not permitted. We are working to improve our review system to prevent such behaviour from being encouraged or imitated and raise awareness,” the company said. - Japan News/ANN
