Japan targets viral ‘Shorinji racing’ social media pranks harassing police

A viral social media prank targeting Japanese police is sweeping across the country, with children as young as seven being caught in the act. Known as “Shorinji racing”, the trend involves minors shouting “Shorinji-ja” (“We are Shorinji”) at police officers in person or through false emergency calls from public telephones while peers record them, according to Jiji Press.

Some have kicked doors and torn down posters at local police boxes, or koban. The perpetrators then flee or hang up before...