The case sparked national outrage in Japan, leading to a petition with over 210,000 signatures calling for a harsh sentence.

Oya filmed his actions and uploaded the footage to an anonymous video-sharing site. He reportedly used public Wi-Fi networks to attempt to hide his identity.

The judge noted the "truly cruel" nature of the crimes but granted a suspended sentence because Oya expressed remorse, donated to an animal welfare organization, and had already suffered "social sanctions" such as losing his job. Why the "2021" Search Term Persists

The search term "" refers to a notorious animal cruelty case in Japan that originally unfolded between 2016 and 2017. While users often search for "full" versions of these videos, it is important to note that the content is illegal, graphic, and has been the subject of significant legal and social action in Japan. The Makoto Oya Case: Background and Timeline

Online communities frequently reshared the story in subsequent years to lobby for stronger animal protection laws in Japan.

In December 2017, the Tokyo District Court sentenced Oya to 22 months in prison , which was suspended for four years .

Animal rights organizations like Asia for Animals warn that searching for or sharing these videos—even out of outrage—can inadvertently promote the content and encourage the creation of more cruelty videos. Many platforms actively ban and remove this footage to comply with animal welfare and safety policies.

Makoto Oya, a former tax accountant from Saitama Prefecture, was arrested in August 2017 for the torture and killing of at least 13 stray cats.