【高2自殺】19日に判決「なぜ息子をいじめたのか」我が子の死から4年…母親の思い　福岡

In the case of a male student attending a private high school in Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, who committed suicide four years ago, the student's mother is seeking damages from four upperclassmen who bullied him at the time. While a settlement has already been reached with three of them, the remaining student remains in custody and a verdict will be announced on the 19th. The student's mother is waiting for the decision, thinking of her son. Read the article about this video https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/fbs/category... Yudai's Mother "I wish he had lived. Things would have been different if he had." Yudai chose to end his life at age 17, a second-year high school student. Wanting him to be by her side, his mother has kept his ashes at home. Why did the upperclassmen bully her son? I have been facing the trial because I want to know the reason. The 19th will be a milestone day for the verdict. ■Yudai's mother "I believe (bullying) played a major role in Yudai's death. (Through the trial) I hope that he will at least become aware of the crime he committed." Yudai loved kendo from a young age. Hoping to perfect his path, he enrolled in Tokai University Fukuoka High School in Munakata City in April 2019 as a scholarship student for the kendo club. However, he soon began to be subjected to vicious bullying by upperclassmen in the kendo club, and approximately two years after enrolling, he took his own life. ■Third-Party Committee Chairperson Kyoko Ukaji "In the kendo club room, in the presence of other club members, three senior students duct-taped Yudai to the tatami mat and pulled down his underwear." The third-party committee set up by the school recognized 10 acts of bullying committed by senior students against Yudai, including those that the police filed as indecent assaults. However, the committee concluded that "the direct cause of his suicide cannot be identified." ■Yudai's Mother "An apology won't bring Yudai back. Still, I want them to acknowledge their crimes and make amends." On March 10, 2024, the third anniversary of Yudai's death, his mother filed a lawsuit seeking damages against the four senior students involved in the bullying. One year and nine months have passed since then. Three of the four senior students have admitted to the bullying, and settlements have already been reached. Meanwhile, the senior student, whom the plaintiffs believe led the bullying, remained steadfast in his stance. During his inquest in June of this year, he stated, "I started it because I wanted to punish him. There was a lot of fun in the kendo club about touching (genitals), so I just went with the flow." Since other club members watching were laughing, he said he didn't think Yudai was bothered at the time, but added, "Now I feel bad about it." Yudai's mother did not take this as an apology. The trial's verdict will be announced on the 19th. Yuudai's mother believes the senior student's bullying will be recognized and that he will be held responsible. ■Yudai's Mother "Based on what I heard in the inquest (of the senior student), I cannot forgive him." However, no matter what the verdict, her regret over whether there was anything she could have done before her son chose death will not go away. ■Yudai's Mother "When I come before Yuudai, I feel like I could never atone for him, even if I spent my whole life doing so. I wish I could have saved him, but I'm sorry. I wonder what the courts are really doing. Even if we do this, Yuudai won't come back." Yudai's mother recalls the times when she and her son would often go on walks together. Her kind-hearted son would find four-leaf clovers and give them to her as presents. ■Yudai's Mother "I wonder what he would have been like if he were still alive, what he would be doing. I would love to meet 22-year-old Yuudai." ■Yudai's Mother "Oh, isn't that a four-leaf clover? Look here. It makes me feel like Yuudai is with me." After that moment of joy comes desperate loneliness. But his mother doesn't stop moving forward. She doesn't want anyone else to experience the same pain her son suffered. For the latest news, please visit https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/fbs X Also broadcasting on FBS Fukuoka Broadcasting News (@FBS_NEWS5).   / fbs_news5