Trial begins over death of 16-year-old girl, with mother alleging illegal investigation was to blame; government and Hyogo Prefecture contest claims

From News NTV

October 21 2026

KOBE – A trial began on the 21st in which a mother is seeking damages from the Japanese government and Hyogo Prefecture, alleging that an illegal investigation led to the death of her 16-year-old daughter. Both defendants have indicated they intend to contest the claims in full.

Runa, who was 16 at the time, was seen dancing energetically in front of a camera. Just a few months later, however, she died in a drastically deteriorated condition.

“I am standing here so that no more people have to endure such suffering,” Runa’s mother said on the 21st at the Hyogo Bar Association building.

Ten months after Runa’s death, her mother’s lawsuit against the national government and Hyogo Prefecture began today.

Runa had worked at a welfare facility in Hyogo Prefecture run by her mother. In February last year (2025), during an event held at the facility, a woman with a severe intellectual disability attempted to bite another service user. Runa intervened to stop her, but a service user with an intellectual disability who witnessed the incident subsequently reported that it might have constituted abuse.

Four months later, Hyogo Prefectural Police arrested Runa and a male staff member on suspicion of assault. The male employee said he was taken aback by the sudden arrest.

“People becoming violent, hitting and kicking others was, to be honest, quite commonplace. So when I was suddenly accused of assault, I honestly couldn’t accept it,” he said.

While in detention, Runa recorded her feelings in a notebook. Some of the writing appeared to have been blurred by tears.

“Mom, I want to see you. I’m sorry. Thank you for everything, always.”

Following their arrests, both Runa and the male employee consistently denied the allegations. Runa was detained for 18 days before being released, and both were ultimately not prosecuted. According to reports, police had interviewed only the service user who made the allegation.

Afterwards, Runa developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other conditions. She went through prolonged periods when she was unable to eat and died in December last year (2025), aged just 16.

Immediately before her death, she weighed only around 20 kilograms.

Why had the mother’s “beloved daughter” been driven to such an extreme state? On the 20th, her mother tearfully spoke about the anguish she had endured.

“From the day she was arrested and came home, she never cried, smiled or laughed again. But on the day she died, she shed tears as she passed away.”

“I want them to apologise to her. When she came home, she told me that if they apologised, she would be able to forgive them. That’s why I want them to give her a proper apology. Not to me — I want them to apologise to my daughter.”

The first oral hearing was held at Kobe District Court on the 21st. Runa’s mother is seeking approximately 100 million yen in damages from the national government and Hyogo Prefecture, arguing that her daughter’s death was caused by an illegal investigation.

Both the government and the prefecture indicated that they would contest the claims in full. The government argued, among other things, that the arrest, detention and interrogation had not been unlawful.

After the hearing, Runa’s mother said:

“Why was it necessary to deprive my daughter of her liberty? During that time, were her life and dignity protected? I want the facts and the grounds for the decisions that were made to be brought to light.”

Could Runa’s death have been prevented? The trial is expected to examine the circumstances of her death as her family seeks to uncover the truth.