Japan grapples with changing juvenile delinquency in social media age

Japan is facing an evolving issue with juvenile delinquency, largely due to the influence of social media on teenagers. This new form of juvenile crime involves groups of young people organizing stunts aimed at police, often capturing the events for online sharing. This trend has prompted concerns among law enforcement and educators, as the underlying reasons behind the surge in juvenile crime remain unclear.

In June 2024, an incident in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, saw six teenagers riding minibikes, revving their engines near a police station. The youths then proceeded to throw eggs at officers and a patrol car before fleeing. These individuals, aged 15 and 16, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of obstructing official duties. Similar incidents have occurred in Miyagi and Hyogo prefectures, where juveniles have been known to throw firecrackers at police boxes, with footage posted on platforms like TikTok.

Senior officials within Aichi prefectural police have noted that social media has enabled young people from different schools to connect and form groups, making it challenging for adults to monitor their activities. In the past, schools could closely observe groups of children to identify signs of delinquency, but now, the lack of oversight makes it difficult to track their behavior.

According to the National Police Agency, juvenile offenses involving Penal Code violations have been on the rise since 2021, reaching 24,416 cases in 2025. Children under 14 cannot be held criminally responsible in Japan, but the number of children under 14 taken into police custody or given guidance for delinquent behavior has also increased over the past five years, from 5,086 in 2020 to 9,178 in 2025.

Experts such as Kazuo Takeuchi, a University of Hyogo professor, have warned that adults often fail to grasp how easily children can access online content, which could lead to criminal behavior. He called for stricter measures to curb the spread of potentially harmful online material. However, child welfare workers emphasize that simply restricting children's access to social media is not a solution.

Delinquent behavior often stems from children lacking a sense of belonging at home or school, and social media can provide them with the sense of belonging they seek. Instead, a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency, including fostering multiple connections with trustworthy peers and local residents.