The city of Sakai, Japan, has initiated a reinvestigation into the suicide of a 13-year-old middle school girl, which occurred in October 2019, after her family provided new information regarding the case. The original investigation concluded that bullying had taken place but did not establish a direct connection between the bullying and the girl's suicide. However, the recent discovery of messages on the girl's smartphone prompted the city to review the findings.

The girl began to avoid school around November 2018 and attempted suicide in October 2019, passing away shortly afterward. Previous reports by a third-party committee that the city formed identified several instances of bullying against her, including derogatory messages, but failed to link these incidents conclusively to her eventual suicide. In light of the new evidence brought forth by the family, including disturbing messages found on her phone, officials have decided to reassess the situation in order to provide clarity to the family and honor their request for a thorough investigation.

City officials have expressed their commitment to supporting the family during this difficult time and emphasized the importance of fully understanding the circumstances surrounding the girl's experiences. The family, represented by their attorney, has voiced a desire for a comprehensive examination of the bullying their daughter faced, highlighting the critical nature of addressing mental health and bullying in schools to prevent future tragedies.