Japanese Teacher Found Guilty In Student's Killing

TOKYO - The Japanese high-school teacher who killed a 15-year-old sophomore by closing the school's heavy iron gate on her head when she came to school late was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter yesterday and sentenced to three years' probation.

The court also sentenced defendant Toshihiko Hosoi, 41, to a one-year prison term but suspended it on the grounds that he already had suffered by being fired. The verdict sparked new debate about Japan's strong reliance on so-called "rule-book education," which subjects junior and senior high-school students to strict enforcement of countless rules governing dress, appearance, and conduct, in and out of school.

Yesterday's verdict involved a student who was tardy by a few seconds as she came to school at Kobe Takatsuka High School July 12, 1990. The school enforced the starting time with no leeway.

Sophomore Ryoko Ishida was running up to the main entrance when the late bell started to ring. Hosoi had been stationed at the front gate to note late students.

Hosoi reportedly saw the student. But as soon as the bell started to ring, he slid the big iron gate closed. Ishida was caught between the gate and a concrete wall, and her head was crushed.

Her death prompted an angry national reaction. The regional district paid the girl's parents $400,000 in compensation.

To show his remorse, according to press reports here, Hosoi took brush and ink and copied a long Buddhist scripture - a form of penance in East Asian societies. But at his criminal trial, Hosoi pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter by professional negligence. He and his lawyer reportedly argued that he was following school policy, authorized by the regional government.

After months of sessions, Hosoi was convicted by a three-judge court. Japan does not have jury trials. The maximum sentence, according to legal texts, would have been five years' imprisonment. Prosecutors asked for one year.

The victims' parents said they hoped "this case will serve as a warning bell for the education system, and make education more human-oriented."

Violations of school rules governing discipline, homework, social life, and personal appearance are often punished severely here.