Newspaper articles of judo injuries resulting in death: 1984 – 2010 [34]
Junior high school student dies from judo injury at school; Kitakyushu city required to pay 42 million yen of compensation
The Asahi Shimbun
September 1, 2006
On Aug. 31, the Fukuoka District Court Kokura Branch ordered Kitakyushu city on Aug. 31 to pay compensation of 42 million yen to the parents of a then second year junior high school student (14), who died from injury sustained during the judo club practice at school in 2002. The parents had sought compensation of 84 million yen against the city.
According to the court decision, the student had kakari-geiko (continuous attack practice) twice with a member who was much heavier than him. He hit the back of his head twice due to techniques used by the opponent and fell unconscious after the second impact. Three days later he died of acute subdural hematoma.
The parents had filed charges against the city for insufficient instruction and serious negligence by the teacher. The city objected, stating that injuries may not be prevented even with sufficient management and instruction, and that in this case the potential risk of judo, as a martial art, was unfortunately realized.
The decision stated that kakari-geiko (continuous attack practice) should be carried out by selecting two students with similar techniques and physical constitution to avoid risk, admitting that the teacher neglected proper instruction and consideration.
The City Board of Education said, “This is a severe result. Our views were not accepted. We will discuss the details to decide our next step.”
Junior high school student dies after judo practice in Kitakyushu; city settles with parents with 40 million yen
The Nikkei
November 26, 2007
Kitakyushu city announced that it will pay compensation of 40 million yen to the parents of a second year male student of Hida Junior High School, who died after judo practice, admitting the teacher’s lack of safety consideration. The student died after being thrown with Osoto-gari (large outer reap) by the opponent.
The Fukuoka District Court Kokura Branch stated that the student’s opponent weighed 120 kg, 1.7times heavier than him, and tended to use techniques considered dangerous. It accepted that the teacher neglected obligation to consider safety, including pairing of students based on weight and physique.
