Japanese TikTokers target police in nationwide harassment

A series of disruptive incidents has been occurring across Japan involving individuals breaking into police boxes, loudly shouting or provoking police officers before fleeing, with these acts believed to have been inspired by videos circulating on social media.



Since responding to this kind of disruptive behaviour risks delaying assistance for those who truly need it, police authorities intend to take a strict stance, saying that such acts cannot be dismissed as mere pranks. They have already arrested several individuals on charges of trespassing and forcible obstruction of business.



Videos posted on the video-sharing app TikTok show people breaking into a building believed to be a police box, shouting and causing a commotion, or dialling the 110 emergency number from a public payphone and yelling “Shorinji”.



In October, the Mie Prefectural Police arrested three high school students, aged 16 to 18, on suspicion of trespassing after they entered an unmanned police box in Tsu City without permission and jumped up and down on the counter.