Junko Furuta was a 17-year-old high school senior from Misato, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. In November 1988, she was abducted by a group of four teenagers while on her way home from her part-time job. She was held captive for 44 days, during which she was subjected to unimaginable and systemic torture. Sadly, she passed away on January 4, 1989, just two weeks before her 18th birthday. Her case remains one of the most tragic examples of criminal cruelty in modern history, sparking global outrage and leading to significant discussions about juvenile law in Japan.

Her life before the tragedy:

A "Model Student": Junko was a senior at Yashio-Minami High School. She was well-liked by both her teachers and classmates, known for being polite, having high grades, and rarely ever missing a day of school.

• Hardworking and Independent: She worked a part-time job at a plastic molding factory because she wanted to save up her own money for a graduation trip with her friends.

• Career Dreams: She had already secured a job at an electronics retailer where she was set to begin working immediately after graduation.

• Ambitions of Stardom: Like many girls her age in the late 1980s, she reportedly dreamed of becoming an "idol" (a pop singer).

• A Lasting Honor: To honor her memory, her high school principal presented her parents with her high school diploma during the graduation ceremony she was never able to attend. Her would-be employer also gifted her family the uniform she would have worn for her first job.

This drawing was a tribute to her. > It serves as a reminder to the world that Junko Furuta was a daughter, a sister, a student, and a friend. By focusing on her life, we ensure that she is remembered for her kindness and her dreams, and not just for the darkness she endured.