The media are in a frenzy over the arrest of a 19-year-old boy for allegedly posting questions from the Kyoto University entrance exam online to get outside help.
But because an arrest for cheating on an exam is very rare, lawyers and experts are questioning the police action and argue the boy doesn't deserve such severe punishment.
"The way police handled the situation is totally out of line," said lawyer Tsutomu Shimizu, head of the private group Akarui Keisatsu wo Jitsugen Suru Zenkoku Nettowaaku (National Network to Realize Better Police), although he added cheating cannot be condoned.