Osaka man arrested for forcing son to beg on street

Yeah, sure dude.

A father forces his son to beg, and there was the mother who made her daughter to prostitute. Is there any decency left in this world?

Oh I am sure he'll be let off with no follow up.

Mind you, if other countries had laws about this, you wouldn't see kids selling flowers in Vietnam, disfigured kids in India...

What a vile man.

zichi

Sounds more like Britain than Japan?

Of course it does. No crime exists in your Japan.

2,000 yen since August? What's wrong with this 'dad?' For that amount, I would have went to a plan B....like getting another job?

I feel bad if the boy was being forced and is now protecting his father so he won't have to face a punishment at home. Seems to be the case since the father tried to run.

However I wonder if the boy did do this on his own accord to prove some point and his family was standing by to witness it. When I was a kid, I begged just so I could go buy an ice cream.

I begged just so I could go buy an ice cream.

I just stole it. LOL!!

But seriously, I too, feel sorry for the kid regardless if he was made to beg or not. That's really not how anybody would want thier kids learn to grow up.

Gurukun： at the age of 5 I was caught stealing and I learned to never do it again (unless I knew I wouldn't be caught ) But sadly I can understand this boys situation. I hope it's dealt with in a way that can better him and his family.

Forcing someone to beg would at least include a beating I should think. I would say he had his son beg, much like my parents had me splitting firewood at that age, and bringing in firewood in the dead of winter, among other things. I could have chopped my friggen leg off! So no, I don't see the deal with this arrest.

Begging money for food? What would you think of a couple of old ladies in their 60's or 70's who often would stand near the ticket vending machines of a major eki here in my place who would approach unsuspecting victims and tell the story of wanting to go to Nagoya but that her money wasn't enough. I can never be sure though if they're real Japanese as some have just the citizenship although by blood they're a bunch of gaijins like us. I'm sorry but my sharing is quite off topic. Although it is about begging for dough.

dont mistake him as one of lady gagas "monster"... this is the real one

What a load of stupid comments! At least in Japan they proceed to arrest the man in question. Have any of you ever heard of third world countries? The Americas? Etc, where you see children begging and selling stuff in front of everybody's eyes and nothing is done. EVER!

Have any of you ever heard of third world countries? The Americas? Etc, where you see children begging and selling stuff in front of everybody's eyes and nothing is done. EVER!

I beg to differ (no pun intended)

He wasn't stealing, and furthermore the whole story is just made up. Japanese police will make you say you did what they want to hear, whether correct or not.

I wish the police and the Welfare Dept. would be as 'on the ball' with child abuse cases involving kids being left alone to starve in apartments, kids being beaten by caregivers, neglectful parents, parents leaving young kids unattended in cars, alone at home........

Samantha for them to be "on the Ball" they first need to be "informed" about potential problems.

Walking around and making forced checks only wastes time and man-power.

Those type of services will always after after stuff happened just like the fire-brigade, police, etc.

Javi Phillips-Bravo

I was thinking the same thing. And we both know even worse things happen to kids...

@Gurukun

I beg to differ (no pun intended)

What are you on about? The local cops bust a few people every now and then for the newspapers? Kids are back begging the next day. If they don't, they won't eat.

Basher, I was refering to a personal expierience when I was small, living in Arizona. I was selling lemonade on the sidewalk and behold, cops pulled up and closed my operation down. So, I've seen first hand that there is something done about selling stuff in front of everybody...something WAS done.

Back on topic please.

Is it a crime?

Hmm, what's most strange for me in this story is that this "mild" begging was actually reported by someone. Then police was on alert like there is no better things to do or catch real criminals.

In my home country you are all the time approached by gipsies who ask for few coins for food, but actually can work a load of money for their tyrannic families or just buy cigarets if the former is not the case.

Of coarse someone have to look into the case - I don't think it is only a family business as it might include violence or drinking habits from the father.

Coward.

This is very common in 3rd world countries, to get adults to force their kids to beg for $$$ not food, because in the case of Mexico, the lazy, alcoholic, or drug addicted parents can not barter tacos for cocaine etc..I hope this was not the case in Osaka, but I do hope the Japanese politicians begin to understand how bad the Japanese economy is, but maybe it will be only wishful thinking on my part.

&It's Me. I saw cars cruise by the local koban everyday with young kids, toddlers jumping around unrestrained inside. Have even seen one nice police chap wave at kids jumping and screaming around in the front seat. What about the tragic case in Osaka last summer where two toddlers's skeletal remains were found in an apartment. Quite a few calls were made to Welfare who didn't even try to call in the police or find out who was living in the apartment.

You gotta pick a pocket or two, boys...

2000 yen since August? He could have gotten more in change from the coin return of vending machines that people forgot to pick up.

This is just so pathetic on so many levels. Makes me only sad.

Sounds more like Britain than Japan?

Since when did the poor and unemployed get generous benefits?