In Japan, elementary school students are participating in a bizarre trend of visiting police stations, shouting, and then running away. This behavior has escalated beyond mere pranks, leading to false reports and property damage, prompting police action.
According to Kansai TV, a phenomenon known as 'Shorinji Racing' (少林寺レーシング) has recently gained popularity among Japanese youth.
The trend involves shouting 'Shorinji' upon arriving at a police station and filming the act to post on social media. There have also been instances where individuals called police officers to report lost items, only to shout or make prank calls to the emergency number 110. Some youths have even thrown fireworks at police stations or damaged glass doors.
Osaka Prefectural Police reported approximately 280 related incidents from mid-September to the end of October. They have apprehended or guided about 50 youths aged 7 to 16, with the youngest being a 7-year-old first grader. In Hyogo Prefecture, 25 elementary school students were also apprehended or guided by the end of October.
The spread of imitation behavior through social media is identified as a key factor in this trend. Those caught have stated during police questioning that they found the actions amusing or were inspired by what they saw on social media.
There have also been incidents involving adults. On November 2, Osaka Prefectural Police arrested an 18-year-old man for allegedly disrupting police operations by announcing plans for motorcycle racing on social media.
Due to his post, over 40 police officers were deployed for surveillance on October 17, although no actual racing occurred. The man denies the allegations.
Even after the arrest, similar activities continued. On November 4, four youths at a police station in Osaka opened and closed the entrance doors while shouting 'Shorinji Racing' and then fled. Three of them received guidance from the police.
Ushui Mahumi, a professor at Niigata Seiryo University, analyzed through Kansai TV that pranks that once only elicited reactions from those nearby have transformed into a means of gaining attention from a broader audience via social media. He noted that the perception that 'everyone is doing it' may prevent individuals from recognizing their actions as criminal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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