The murder of a 13-year-old boy in Kawasaki leaves many people wondering why his life could not have been saved, especially given the fact that he had been previously assaulted by the suspected killer and that the police were aware of it. Educators, local government officials and police officers need to reflect deeply about what could have been done to prevent Uemura's death, and what must be done to prevent similar crimes in the future.

The body of Ryota Uemura was found naked on the bank of Tama River on Feb. 20, with multiple knife wounds in the neck and other areas. Traces of his burned clothing were found nearby. A week later, police arrested an 18-year-old boy, who is believed to be the principal offender, and two 17-year-olds.

It is difficult to understand how the reported motive of the suspected killer — his anger that Uemura had told friends that he had assaulted him — could have led him to commit such a savage act. The police should study the psychology of the main suspect and probe the relationships among the victim, the suspects and other people concerned. Police officers and teachers must also scrutinize the actions they took when they learned earlier this year that Uemura was experiencing problems at school and with the 18-year-old boy.