Japanese teens face charges for causing train delays in competition

Seven Japanese teenagers have been referred to prosecutors and the family court in Chiba Prefecture for allegedly causing train delays as part of a competition. The students, aged between 14 and 17, are accused of using various methods to stop trains between April and May, with the goal of seeing who could cause the longest disruption.

According to the Chiba Central Police Station, one 14-year-old junior high school student activated an emergency door switch at JR Soga Station in Chiba City on May 6, causing his train to be delayed. Other incidents occurred between April 9 and May 10, involving several students across different prefectures. These incidents included trespassing at level crossings and pressing emergency buttons, which forced trains to brake.

The teenagers confessed to the police that they were competing to see who could make trains run late the most. They intended to use these achievements as bragging rights within their group of rail enthusiasts. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking into the full extent of their actions and the impact on the railway system.