Koho High School Baseball Faces Human Rights Probe, June 02

A third-party committee investigating violence at Koho High School’s baseball team in Hiroshima found the school committed “serious human rights violations” by mishandling a January 2025 incident. Multiple senior players attacked a first-year student over eating instant noodles in the dormitory. The committee criticized the school for treating the case as student discipline rather than bullying and for destroying investigation records.

What Happened to the Student

On January 21 and 22, 2025, a first-year student was called out by multiple senior players after eating cup noodles in the dormitory, which violated team rules. The seniors used threatening behavior and physical force, including gestures with a bat. The student fled the dormitory at night and returned home, later transferring schools. The committee found the violence caused strong fear and emotional distress beyond simple contact or warning.

School’s Response Draws Criticism

The school initially classified the incident as routine student discipline, not bullying. The school also destroyed investigation records after the school year ended, citing reasons like the student’s transfer. A former school lawyer had advised the school to report the case as bullying to outside agencies, but the school did not act on this advice.

Former Coach’s Role in Silencing the Victim

The former coach told the victim that reporting the violence to the baseball federation could prevent the team from competing in outside matches. The committee found this statement extremely inappropriate. The coach’s influence over the team was so strong that the victim reasonably felt pressure not to report the abuse. The committee concluded this statement was a deciding factor in the student’s decision to leave school.

Systemic Problems in the Organization

The committee identified a closed culture where violence and intimidation were tolerated. The team prioritized winning the national tournament above student safety and human rights. The committee found evidence of other students who experienced or witnessed violence. The school’s leadership depended on the team’s success and failed to oversee coaching methods or dormitory rules.

Final Thoughts

The committee classified the violence as bullying under Japan’s anti-bullying law and called for the school to rebuild with human rights protections. The school’s initial misclassification and record destruction represent the most serious failures in handling the case.

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