Kirk reporting on a verdict rendered in a hazing lawsuit: Seiseiko High School was found not guilty.
The complaint was made by a student who was at the school as a first year student in 2017. The articles I’m linking to cite two issues: (1) freshmen being “taught” the school song on the roof of the school building by the ouendan (応援団; cheering club); (2) the former student being compeled to have his hair shaved off as a member of the tenis club. The former student did not feel he could return to school and eventually wound up transfering to another high school. The former student was asking for 1 yen in compensation – a symbolic settlement.
In regard to the “teaching” of the school song, the judge seemed to agree that the 90-minute ritual was a reasonable approach to instilling school spirit. In regard to the hair cut, the judge says it was not forced and the the student “requested it.”
In both of the articles I’m referring to, “shime” (シメ) is a key word in the complaint. The school seems not to recognize that Seiseiko practices “shime” but, as far as I can tell, it seems that the parents and the former student are using the term in a way that is very close to the English “hazing.” The second article says that the “teaching” involved scary upperclassmen surronding new students and berating their poor perfomance at the top of their lungs (and, yelling loudly is what the ouendan is all about). In defence of the “tradition,” a representative of the school is reported to have said the following:
“It’s important to gaining a sense of membership in the school. There’s nothing to criticize.” （学校の一員になれたという実感を得るために重要。批判される要素はない。）
This “gaining a sense of membership,” that is a “rite of passage,” is what hazing is all about, isn’t it? Doesn’t seem like much of a defense to me.
The parents said they will discuss the matter with the former student and may appeal.
Of course, I only know what I can learn from the media so I’m not qualified to judge the court’s verdict. But, it sure sounds fishy to me. https://kumanichi.com/articles/673404 https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/931387/
Picture note: I’ve attached an actual picture of two members of Seiseiko’s ouendan standing on the roof of the school. I obscured their identities because I only wanted to use the photo as an illustration of how ouendan members dress and the generally martial milieu they are capable of generating – not to associate any specific person with the complaint against Seiseiko.