OSAKA -- The sudden news that a couple's teenage daughter had been murdered in the street by a stranger was the beginning of the destruction of a family's happy life.

The husband and wife rushed to the hospital only to find that their daughter was dead. Although losing her was itself almost unbearable, they had to undergo further anguish when the media hounded them for comments. The pain continued in court, where the victim's family felt their voices were not given serious consideration by judges.

"Is this a criminal justice system in Japan that pays no attention to crime victims and their families?," shouted the husband, who later began drowning his grief in drink. The wife refused to testify at the trial, saying that whatever she said would have no effect on the ruling.