Japan: 19-Year-Old Man ARRESTED for Dating a 17-Year-Old
You would probably think this is acceptable, after all, he was 19 and only two years older than her at 17. That’s not really a huge age difference, and I don’t think a 19-year-old is mentally that much more “adult” than a 17-year-old. But Japanese police apparently didn’t see it that way after the two were caught dating.
According to police, the young man, who is now 20, allegedly met the teenage girl through social media. The encounter happened in November last year, when he was 19, while he was still living in Niigata Prefecture.
Police discovered the case during an online patrol, and the man was eventually arrested on suspicion of violating the prefecture’s law concerning the protection and healthy development of young people.
During questioning, he denied the accusation and reportedly stated that he “didn’t know this would be a violation” regarding the fact that he was 19 and she was 17.
The case quickly sparked discussion among Japanese users on social media. After all, there are only two years between 19 and 17, so many people questioned how the law was being applied in this situation.
This news generated plenty of mixed reactions, with some people saying:
- “If it was forced, then he should be punished, but…”
- “Hmm… what’s the point of this law?”
- “This feels like an unnecessary and unnatural crackdown.”
- “Even if she’s a minor, there’s only a two-year age gap.”
- “He was arrested for this? Then I can understand why he said he didn’t know it was illegal.”
- “Wouldn’t 17 and 19 be a normal relationship?”
Others, however, pointed out that the issue wasn’t simply about two people dating.
- “Dating is fine, but you’re not allowed to have sex until she turns 18, right?”
There were also people suggesting that there may have been more to the situation than an ordinary relationship, since the case was discovered through an online patrol.
- “If they found out through an online patrol and arrested him, then it probably wasn’t a normal relationship.”
On the other hand, some users even speculated that prostitution could have been involved. Others pointed out that if there had been a purchase of sexual services involving a minor, the accusation could potentially be even more serious.
Overall, what was reported by the Japanese media is only what was stated in the original article, so yeah, the whole situation is pretty strange.
via Yahoo News