A Promising Life Cut Short: The Femicide of Junko Furuta

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains graphic content on sexual assault, torture, murder as well as discussions around addiction. 

 

The grisly murder of Junko Furuta has been referred to as the ‘most horrific true crime case’ of modern-day times. In 1988, Junko was a 17-year-old girl living in Japan looking forward to her upcoming graduation. She was a superior student, made excellent grades, was popular amongst her peers and had a good head on her shoulders with big dreams of life. Her bright ambitions and future were tragically cut short when she rejected a peer’s advances. Unbeknownst to Junko, this rejection infuriated Hiroshi Miyano who was an alleged member of Japan’s Yakuza Mob. This is where the nightmare began which would lead to 44 days of confinement, assault, torture and the eventual murder of Junko Furuta. This case explores potential contributing factors to the unimaginable brutality committed by Junko’s four teenage perpetrators and the flawed juvenile justice system in Japan at that time. It leads to questions of whether Junko actually received justice and how could her death, that shocked an entire nation, be a catalyst for social reform? 

 

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow/subscribe to “WILDCIDE” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please rate and leave us a review – we would really appreciate it! You can also visit our website at www.wildcidepodcast.com (merch coming soon!)

Make sure to get updates by following us on Instagram (@wildcidepodcast) and Facebook (Wildcide Podcast). Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. 

​​Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff (bltzwolff@gmail.com).

​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 

 

References:

Fusek, A. P. (2023, June 9). Furuta Junko: The horrific murder that tested Japan. Unseen Japan. https://unseen-japan.com/furuta-junko-horrific-murder/

Keisha. (2022, May 19). 40 days in purgatory: The case of Junko Furuta. Medium. https://arkcana.medium.com/40-days-in-purgatory-the-case-of-junko-furuta-5ab927fa0072

Roos, D. (2023, May 2). Why did Junko Furuta’s murderers get such light sentences? HowStuffWorks. https://people.howstuffworks.com/junko-furuta.htm

Serena, K. (2022, April 17). Junko Furuta was tortured to death over the course of 44 days - and her teenage killers got off Easy. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/junko-furuta

Tokyo Reporter Staff. (2020, May 22). Junko Furuta Killer again on trial: Chaos in the courtroom. TokyoReporter. https://www.tokyoreporter.com/crime/junko-furuta-killer-again-on-trial-chaos-in-the-courtroom/