模倣犯

• Reading: もほうはん
• Romaji: mohohan
• Kanji breakdown: 模 (mo) — pattern, model | 倣 (ho) — to imitate | 犯 (han) — crime, criminal
• Pronunciation: /mo.ho.ɯ.han/

Meaning

Copycat criminal; a person who commits a crime imitating a previous, often widely publicised, criminal act.

模倣犯 describes the phenomenon where media coverage of a sensational crime triggers imitations — a concern that leads Japanese police and media to debate the ethics of detailed crime reporting. The term was brought to wide public awareness by Miyabe Miyuki's acclaimed novel Mohohan (2001). It is used in criminological analysis and policy discussions about the influence of violent media on criminal behaviour.

Examples

1. 連続放火事件の報道後、各地で模倣犯とみられる火事が相次いだ。 After reports of a series of arson attacks, fires believed to be the work of copycat criminals broke out in various locations.
2. 犯罪報道が詳細すぎると、模倣犯を生む危険性があると専門家は警告する。 Experts warn that overly detailed crime reporting can give rise to copycat criminals.
3. 宮部みゆきの小説は、犯罪心理と社会の関係を模倣犯という視点から鋭く描いた。 Miyabe Miyuki's novel sharply depicted the relationship between criminal psychology and society from the perspective of the copycat criminal.

Usage Guide

Context: criminology, media ethics, criminal justice

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 模倣 (moho — imitation; 模 'pattern/model' + 倣 'to imitate') and 犯 (han — crime, criminal). The concept parallels the English 'copycat crime/criminal', which itself gained currency in the 20th century.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal