A photo of 7-year-old Misaki Ogura released by Yamanashi Prefectural Police
national

Parents of 7-year-old girl missing for 10 days at Yamanashi campsite speak of agony, hope

31 Comments

The parents of a 7-year-old girl who went missing at a mountainous campsite in Doshi-mura, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Monday spoke publicly for the first time about their agony and hope for their daughter’s safe return. They also gave permission for the police to release a photo of their daughter, Misaki Ogura.

Misaki’s parents spoke to the media at the campsite where they have remained since Misaki went missing at around 3:40 p.m.on Saturday Sept 21. Misaki, who had come with her mother and sister in a group of about 30 people from Narita City in Chiba Prefecture, was last seen running by herself behind some other children after eating snacks. Her mother saw her run off and turn left into the woods. That was the last time anyone saw her. She was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and jeans.

Misaki’s mother Tomoko, 36, shed tears as she told reporters that she hoped to hug Misaki in her arms very soon. She said Misaki is her youngest daughter and "a very active child who loves animals."

In response to the search carried out by Yamanashi Prefectural Police, Self-Defense Force members and volunteers, Tomoko said, "I am deeply grateful that so many people have cooperated with our family."

Misaki's parents have spent each night since Sept 21 in a tent at the campsite in the event that their daughter returns. They keep a light inside their tent on throughout the night as they anxiously wait for clues to Misaki’s whereabouts.

Misaki’s father Masashi, 37, said: "When I think of how lonely she is out here alone, my heart feels as if it's been torn from my chest. I simply want to find you and see you soon." He added, "Whenever our family was feeling blue, Misaki was the one to make jokes and brighten up the mood.”

Searchers have used tracker dogs and a drone equipped with a sensor capable of detecting body heat but so far no trace of Misaki has been found.

A stream runs through the woods down the mountain but a search downstream proved fruitless. Searchers have been cutting down tall grass in an effort to find the girl.

Police are also checking nearby farmhouses and empty huts.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

31 Comments
Login to comment

Could a spiritualist/psychic try to help locate their daughter. I know that these type of people do help police forces on occasion.

Of course they can't help, they are all charalatans and frauds. You might as well ask Obi Wan Kenobi to use the Force.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I can't even imagine what the parents must be feeling.

Although the chances seem slim now, I do pray for a happy ending.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Could a spiritualist/psychic try to help locate their daughter. 

I guess if this was a Hollywood movie, but unfortunately, this is real life with real people involved.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Very sad story.

There was however a similar story a couple of years ago with the boy about the same age who went missing in the woods and was gone for days. Just when everyone had given up hope they found him alive and well in a little cabin that he had found shelter in.

REALLY hope this story has an ending like that one.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Absolutely horrible for the parents.

Does not look good at this point but hoping for the best.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Why, oh why, do they wait 10 full days before releasing a picture of her??

There's a possibility that someone might have seen her in a location outside of this campsite area if she were kidnapped.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I really hope they find her. I couldn't possibly imagine their pain. Just reading the article, all I want to do is hold my daughter and be grateful that she is safe with me. You never know what could happen.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I saw this on the news yesterday night, heartbreaking.

The parents made this painful appearance on national TV, and together with the inability to find the girl after 10 days despite all the rescue efforts, make me think that probably the police also considers the kidnapping the most plausible scenario at the moment. As a parent, I pray for a happy end

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I wonder 2 things. Is is possible she was kidnapped by someone and is still alive somewhere?

Could a spiritualist/psychic try to help locate their daughter. I know that these type of people do help police forces on occasion...

1st thing - yeah it,s possible. 2nd thing - i,m sorry but that,s bs. ever heard that line in The Exorcist? "The victim's belief in possession is what helped cause it, so in that same way, a belief in the power of exorcism can make it disappear". same thing.

let,s hope she,s alive, but if not i hope they can at least find the body so that the parents can mourn their daughter. not knowing is the worst thing.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Her mother saw her run off and turn left into the woods.

Details like that along with her picture should have been printed from the start. Also, someone could have verified if that left was to the north, east, south or west. Most of what I am seeing and hearing is screaming near useless...such as the SDF taking days to appear despite there being an SDF base very near, searchers seeming to spend more time on the roads than in the woods, police waiting for permission to search empty second houses, and not searching at night when night time searching presents unique opportunities in a search.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I’m betting she was kidnapped.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It’s a bit strange she has disappeared without a trace. The area is not super remote and there were a lot of other campers around. After seven days the chances of finding her alive are very slim. Let’s hope she was not abducted. The family must be going through hell.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

A secluded campsite

Its far from it. Look at a satellite map. Its not far from the main road and there are houses, farms and other campsites all around it and up and down that valley. She came up missing on the first evening of a three day weekend when families were all over doing things like.....camping.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

So many things have been wrong about this investigation/search. In America when someone is missing, the first 48 hours are the most critical. Searchers / JSDF / Fireman / Police have ALOT to learn. When I read that the search was suspended due to darkness I really thought these clowns searching need better training! You don't give up due to darkness, weather or any situation. YOU ADAPT AND OVERCOME THE ELEMENTS AND BRING THE PERSON YOU ARE LOOKING FOR HOME!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

They should bring that old Japanese guy in who found that little boy some time ago on the side of a mountain.

Did they try bloodhounds? If they haven't yet, the scent is probably gone by now.

Hopefully they'll find her in good health.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

wish she will be found safe somewhere.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Could a spiritualist/psychic try to help locate their daughter. I know that these type of people do help police forces on occasion.

No, but they will nevertheless appear on Japanese TV attempting to solve this case in a few years.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Horrific. A secluded campsite of all places. Here's hoping she just wandered off and lost her way back. Everyone with kids treasure them

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@BeerDeliveryGuy,

Well if that is true the governor has failed, and has blood on his hands.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Question to parents here- How old is old enough to let your children run off with their friends? From what I gathered, the children decided to run off and play by the river which was a little ways and out of eyesight from the campsite. I mean I am not blaming the parents because to each its own but my soon-to-be first grade son wouldn't be allowed to run around outside with friends unless I had an eye on him or have other adult supervision.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

So many days have passed... does not look good, does it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Most of what I am seeing and hearing is screaming near useless...such as the SDF taking days to appear despite there being an SDF base very near

The SDF can only be mobilized locally by request of the governor.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This is looking like a MISSING 411 case now in Japan.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I’m betting she was kidnapped

This should definitely be looked into. The mother and father should not be exempted from investigation.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This should definitely be looked into. The mother and father should not be exempted from investigation

So... they wanted to get rid of their daughter and paid someone to kidnap her?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

In a country like Japan, why isn't there such easy locator device invented yet? Why they aren't using tons of drones around the area?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

This story by the parents doesn't add up. Even my dogs when they get lost start whimpering and barking to come bail them out. The Mom says she watched the child who then turned left, ok how much time passed before she took off after losing site? hmm. not adding up with this story.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

This story by the parents doesn't add up. Even my dogs when they get lost start whimpering and barking to come bail them out. The Mom says she watched the child who then turned left, ok how much time passed before she took off after losing site? hmm. not adding up with this story.

I saw the interview with the mother. I became suspicious of her. Japanese camerapersons often do a closeup of the eyes, which are the windows to the soul, and the interview did the same. She had the averting eyes.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

I am so sorry for the parents, such a terrible thing to happen.

I wonder 2 things. Is is possible she was kidnapped by someone and is still alive somewhere?

Could a spiritualist/psychic try to help locate their daughter. I know that these type of people do help police forces on occasion. Anyway, nothing to lose now.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites