Child abuse cases in Japan reach record-high 225,000 in FY2023

Despite Japan's declining population and calls for increased birth rates, the existing system fails to adequately protect and support the children already in need. Some of the most glaring cases involve authorities or guardians ignoring a child's plight or returning them to abusive environments, ultimately resulting in the child's death—yet with no accountability.

The thing I fear, as the gov't tries to increase the childbirth rate, and in many cases throws money at families to have children, there will be more kids born, but also more cases of abuse. Look at the numbers now, but imagine many more young people having kids when they are not ready or willing to care for them.

Is abuse or awareness of abuse increasing? Hard to know, but economics can't be helping.

They should educate the girls while they are in high school to not abuse their children. (most perpetrators of physical and psychological abuse are mothers)

everything starts with real love and education.

for many both are "wakaranai area".as many people became emotionally flat.no flavour.no emotions.

than kids are easiest target to abuse or "release" own stress.

In a country where citizens are historically and culturally reluctant to speak out, I can only assume this is the proverbial tip of the iceberg.

Causes would be numerous with economic pressures, education, social awareness, children's rights being only a few.

All under the gaze of a monolithic govt that apparently has done little to support the sector although the writings been on the walls for decades.

Parents fight...couples fight...in front of kids not good but is this "abuse " of the child.?

How a country once proud in its child rearing has failed families and children over and over for decades its appalling. Families have for long now being unable to sustain themselves on one single income, as Japan's reduced workforce is forced to include homemakers, thus increasing stress on parents, all the while child daycare facilities are insufficient and understaffed sometimes. Families lose, parents lose, kids lose, the country loses.

Japan needs drastic action, and a 180 degree change of course towards moderate traditionalism, family and culture.

How sad.

@proxyToday  08:24 am JST

They should educate the girls while they are in high school to not abuse their children. (most perpetrators of physical and psychological abuse are mothers)

Why just Girls how about the boys ?

Anything that touches the skin of kids nowadays can be classified as abuse. I am not saying that it must be labeled as abuse, but it CAN be...

Psychological abuse consultations accounted for 59.8 percent, or 134,948 cases, of which 78,914 were domestic violence taking place in front of children.

One wonders where the line is here. A mother throwing slipper at a father during an argument about money, grandparent interference, kids' low grades, etc. is not healthy, but it is not child abuse.

Out of the remaining 40%, I wonder how much psychological abuse relates to whether kids do their homework for school or juku. The prevailing culture is one in which it is good for parents to drive kids hard so that they can make something of themselves, with the ends justifying whatever means are used.

That’s because until the last decade or so, the term “Child Abuse” didn’t EXIST unless a kid DIED, then somebody had to lift a finger

Japan government, do something..

@enmaai

Because most physical and psychological abuse is done by mothers, so educate the girls before they become mothers.

enmaai Today 10:18 am JST

Why just Girls how about the boys ?

Why don't you ask why most articles like these only shows girls as the victims but not boys? Just look at the above picture. Boys are the forgotten victims of child abuse.

proxy Today 08:24 am JST

They should educate the girls while they are in high school to not abuse their children. (most perpetrators of physical and psychological abuse are mothers)

-4( +4 / -8 )

You know why you got more downvotes than upvotes? Because you mentioned an uncomfortable TRUTH. Today's misandrist society can't handle this kind of truth. They always want to believe only men are the perpetrators. Women abuse children too. And misandrist society allows them to get away with it. Get away with child abuse.

This is number is much higher in reality as around 190,000 children are alienated every year from one of their parents in this country..including my two children. It has been 2.5 years since they have been abducted by my ex and I have only been able to see them for 1 hour in the court house last August. THIS IS CHILD ABUSE.

If anyone doesn't understand this issue do a web search of parental child abduction in Japan and you will see what a widespread problem it is.

"We take the results very seriously and intend to improve the child welfare center system to protect children's lives," said an official at the agency..

This statement is nonsense..the courts and government do absolutely nothing to protect the rights of children and ensure their safety, instead they make rulings which end up facilitating their abuse. People wonder why the birthrate is dramatically falling but never consider that Japan is karmically getting exactly what it deserves.

With Japan, throwing all the money it can at women to try and get them to have more children this could become an even bigger problem. You want to see how wrong things can go when you throw money at people to get them to have more children, just look at how badly it has affected the United States. Especially communities heavily reliant on the welfare system. Just look at how out of control the rate unwed motherhood has gotten over the past few decades of the welfare state.

"Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child". That is how I, and most of my friends were brought up back in the 60's and 70's. And actually... we didn't consider it abuse. Bunking school... that might get you a back hand. Getting caught stealing, probably a good whipping, but we did learn right from wrong. We were also brought with "Children should be seen and not heard". And guess what... some of the greatest generations did quit well while adhering to those sayings.

proxyMar. 26  08:24 am JST

They should educate the girls while they are in high school to not abuse their children. (most perpetrators of physical and psychological abuse are mothers

Why just Girls how about the boys.