Hokkaido University Student Assault Death Trial Seeks Life Imprisonment

In Ebetsu, Hokkaido, a university student, Tomoya Hase, died after being subjected to a prolonged group assault by six attackers in October 2024. Prosecutors have sought a life sentence for the alleged ringleader, 18‑year‑old Kawaguchi Yuto, describing the violence as "hellish suffering" and rejecting any mitigation for his age. The court is set to deliver its verdict on August 7.

The case has drawn strong statements from the victim’s family, who expressed that no amount of punishment could atone for the loss. Co‑defendant Yagihara Ama, who was reportedly involved in urging the attacks, is also implicated in the proceedings.