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Mother, child apparently starve to death in Osaka apartment

100 Comments

A 28-year-old woman and her 3-year-old daughter were found dead in an Osaka apartment after having apparently starved to death, police said Tuesday.

The woman, who has been named as Michiyo Inoue, and her daughter Rui, were found dead in their Kita Ward apartment on May 27. Fuji TV reported that next to the bodies was a note, believed to have been written by the woman, which read, "I wanted to give her more nutritious food."

According to investigators, the apartment contained no refrigerator and the only condiment in the house was salt. There was no food in the woman's stomach when she was found, the coroner reported. The apartment's gas and electricity had been cut off and the woman's bank account was almost empty. An autopsy revealed that the pair died sometime around February of this year.

Police were quoted as saying that the woman had been estranged from her husband who was abusing her since last year. The woman had not told her husband or her family where she was for fear that he would find her, an acquaintance told Fuji TV. The ward office also had no record of her moving into the apartment.

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Horrific. Poor kid.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Murder suicide

-23 ( +5 / -28 )

How awful.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Very, very sad!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Couldn't she get some support from the government or some other group? I highly doubt that they would let a child starve to death. It seems like there were still options, especially when she still had some money in the bank.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

OMG!!! This is beyond tragic. How on earth can such a thing be allowed to happen?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

What is really sad is that they have been dead since February, and no-one noticed until now. This isn't some 80yr old that society has forgotten about - she was 28yrs old with a 3yr old baby. In the age of constant facebook updates, neither her parents, nor extended family, nor friends, nor neighbours, not to mention the father of the child noticed they were in trouble. She didn't drown her baby, then kill herself with a noose. The two of them slowly starved to death. It would have taken weeks to die - and in that time not one person noticed anything wrong.

This is a tragedy. RIP mother and child. Let's hope you find more love from people in the hereafter.

18 ( +22 / -4 )

RIP mother and Child

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Pathetic in country that claims to be first world that this woman had no-one to turn to.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Was she too afraid that her estranged husband would find them to apply for financial aid? Is there no Second Harvest or other food bank in Osaka?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

something wrong with this story.... how could mother not ask for help for her child.. how did she pay rent? Could live on the street and at least have something to eat..

0 ( +2 / -2 )

WTF!? That's so sad....but so preventable. All she had to do was ask somebody...anybody....and I'm sure someone would have gave her help/food. It pisses me off that her estranged husband also let this happen. With all differences aside, how can you let your child and (ex)wife starve to death.

@Gearge, stop already. I'm not that cruel.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Couldn't she get some support from the government or some other group? I highly doubt that they would let a child starve to death. It seems like there were still options, especially when she still had some money in the bank.

For support one has to ask. Two it is a leap of the imagination to know she had enough money to provide for anything, "some" money left could mean any amount under 1000 yen too.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Another victim of Japan's non-existent welfare system. She is also a victim of Japan's non-existent mental health care system. A double whammy resulting in a double death. Sad!

5 ( +14 / -9 )

They were discussing this on NHK last night. One "expert" commentator was saying that communities have become strangers to each other. People go about their business, not caring or even noticing how their neighbors are. He said once upon a time, everyone in an apartment block would know everyone else. How times have changed.

Maybe she was too ashamed to apply for welfare or maybe she wasn't eligible.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

Yikes.. I live in Kita-ku.. Very sad for the child.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I think the being "estranged from her husband" and not actually divorced is what was keeping her from getting any public assistance, and the mental health care that everyone keeps saying is non-existent here in Japan are wrong, it is the stigma that goes along with getting the help that is the problem, I have gone several times over the years, and am not ashamed to admit it. Most people ,Japanese or not, are embarrassed to say that they need mental help, and it takes a big push to get someone to realize they need help in the first place. I think maybe the father of the child needed to do his part in caring for his family, being sending money or giving her a divorce so she could actually apply for assistance.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

As papasmurfinjapan alluded to above, this really is a reflection of the sad society we live in. What's worse, people will forget about it tomorrow.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

This is really hard to understand. If my wife didn't think she'd could get money from the city office and had not a friend or relative left in the world, I'm sured she'd seek help from a church, temple, crazy religious group, or even get a job as a stripper before she'd let her daughter starve to death.

Really, there's no reason why anyone needs to starve to death in Japan. Maybe they need to start teaching survival methods in schools.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

in my country even we are not so develop as japan but we never have "starving" to death case sine the last world war!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This is a very sad news. I really can not imagine such situation in a country like Japan. Very very sad.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@disillusioned

i doubt if a better welfare system could have save her. this woman was mentally ill and wanted to kill herself and her daughter. why blame the j-govt? everyone complains when japan acts like a nanny state, but then they want japan to check on every citizen to insure that they are alive. huh?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Goes to show the almost total lack of a support system in this country when no one, not even the utility co's, landlord, neighbors, etc. cared enough to knock on the door or investigate

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Many assumptions here but I really think the case is complicated. We don't know if that woman was just crazy and actually she wanted to end this way or another. Bigger problem is nobody noticed or even worse - they noticed but just didn't bother to interfere.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Speechless......

1 ( +1 / -0 )

this woman was mentally ill and wanted to kill herself and her daughter. why blame the j-govt?

rickyvee,

Nowhere did it state she was mentally ill and wanted to kill herself, or her daughter. She probably felt helpless, alone and acared. Even though you probably do not agree with how it turned out, she probably loved her daughter very much.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Imagine what could be achieved if the political scene was actually about improving Japan instead of infighting and playing point scoring and pointing fingers with the neighbouring countries.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

A mother and daughter dead for 3 months in an apartment.... bridges should be built of sturdier material in Japan.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@thedevilsassistant

do you think a woman who is sane would starve herself and her child? and your definition of "love" is completely not the same as mine nor most people's.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

I got nothing. Rest in peace.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I gave my Obento to an old lady in Subway station, she is homeless and I know it is her spot, another guy accused me that please dont do this, she is getting money from government bla bla bla I dont understand these people, cold blood? They are famous for their culture, politeness, ... but human being is really missing here. If you dont have money just go and die, that is the solution they leave for u. I really feel bad for this mom and kid.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Get the feeling there's a lot missing from this story?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

do you think a woman who is sane would starve herself and her child? and your definition of "love" is completely not the same as mine nor most people's.

Helpless and alone doesn't constitute mentally ill. I also never defined "love" What I said was Even though you probably do not agree with how it turned out, she probaly loved her daughter very much. Only she would know. Not all mothers in this situation are mentally ill and want to kill thier children. Some are just left out of the 'system' and feel so helpless and feel that there is nowhere to turn. Lets not blame these mothers and try to find ways to come to a solution to reach these caring mothers...and fathers that are out there.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Horrible story. How in the world can sit by and let a 3-year old starve to death.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Why Japanese people don't look for help when they need? i Just can't understand. You're not alone in this world!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

If it were just herself I could understand a little better, but to allow your near-infant child to starve to death along with you is simply sick. I agree with TheDevilsAssistant and others that say the support system is completely lacking, and will further it by saying the complete disappearance of neighbourly relations are to blame (THREE MONTHS DEAD IN THERE??), but the mother is still ultimately to blame. Would that there were someone she could have turned to. RIP to both.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

So sad

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@smithinjapan

i couldn't disagree more with many of the posters here. we, as people, need to accept more responsibility for our actions. the gov't and society doesn't make people do wrong, stupid or assinine things. the momemt we blame others for our actions the easier it is for us rationalize immoral and stupid behavior. no one made that woman starve her child but her.

and all the "support systems" in the world won't help if someone doesn't wnat it or use it. like davinyoko said, there are lots of services for mental health but very few people us them.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

To the welfare services (seikatsu hogo:

I think, in order for these things not to happen is to get informations from the Utilitiy companies. If house's electric or gas has been totally cut off, this information should be sent to the welfare services so the people there can visit the family.

Another thing, they should promote community bonding here. They can hold like an area or apartment complex "party" or gathering few times a year. The people can play sports, do BBQ or something.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

rickyvee: I don't see anyone not saying the mother is to blame, but pointing out that the system that could have maybe saved her and her child is not available. It's not as black and white as you make it out to be.

"and all the "support systems" in the world won't help if someone doesn't wnat it or use it. like davinyoko said, there are lots of services for mental health but very few people us them."

Really? Have you ever tried to use them? The services cater to business hours only, as with hospitals for the most part, and they are not equipped to deal with the problems various people face. I have a Japanese friend who suffers from chronic panic attacks and doctors refuse to give her simple muscle relaxants that can help, but insist she "go to a psychologist". Might be for the better, actually, but they way they say it to her, and the stigma from her neighbours make her not do it. Instead, I talk to her regularly and try to encourage her, but it's not enough. I guarantee that if you could reach this woman from the dead and ask her why she did not reach out she would say, "I didn't want to be a burden", which is a clear statement on society.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Shocking, this only happens in the worse of 3rd world countries. Japan badly needs a social welfare system that cares for people in need. No one should be so fearful to disconnect for society, we are not protecting our people.

RIP Mother & Child.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Are we all reading the same article?

The thing here is the woman was in hiding from an abusive husband, so she couldn't get child support or maybe traditional help. She was intentionally keeping out of touch with family and probably avail ding neighbors as well.

The issue I see is why she felt the police couldn't protect her? Then she could go to public help or get assistance from family or a job.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

*avoiding neighbors

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Are their no soup kitchens in Japan?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

justbcuzisay u r right. And that feeling of loneliness here in Japan.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Mr. Omicron you might really be onto something here. Having the city contacted in case a home go without electricity, gas or water is probably one effective way to get in touch with the people who need the most.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Such a sad story. Her example of pride came at an extremely high cost.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

more social activities might be needed to lessen such problems, there must be some more pple out there wishing for someone to just drop by and talk with them, or just to give company!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

That's so sad..why didn't she ask for govt assistance?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Good ol' "zero safety net" Japan.

-1 ( +3 / -3 )

Every kuyakusho in Osaka will give you , with total discretion, a bag of food for adults, or one for baby, or one for children. The bags are ready. I've seen them many times. I know the staff has the instruction to not check you ID or visa status, which is why I was shown the bags : to relay the information that the possibility exist to fellow coworkers. Maybe they should also worry about letting Japanese people know. I don't think it's a case of lack of information. She seemed to be totally paranoiac and isolating herself from anybody that might help.

She didn't drown her baby, then kill herself

What she did is totally equivalent.

neither her parents, nor extended family, nor friends, nor neighbours, not to mention the father of the child noticed they were in trouble.

It seems she cut all contacts, went away and was hiding, so they certainly worried but they had no way to reach her. Neighbors couldn't guess either.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Japan has good infra structure and support services on some levels, but it doesn not have any kind of absolute support for ppl on the edge. It also does not have Christianity and/ or a tradition of charity organizations. The tendency toward self-responsibility and self-reliance here can be extreme.

It also doesn not have a real common-knowledge of spousal abuse, and protecting runaway abusees, protecting their identity. So it makes sense to me that if she was really afraid she would not go to city hall or other public organs for help, for fear that word would somehow get out.

They need more women's shelters and visibility and common knowledge of womens shelters, protecting id, and what stalking is.

There, I've gone and stated the obvious.

Sad story...

1 ( +4 / -3 )

So terribly sad and disturbing. When will japanese women demand equal rights under the law?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I imagine this article has been updated with new information as it's come in, hence the confusion through the posts.

As the story stands now, she was hiding from an abusive husband. If she registered at her ward office, he could easily have found her if he wanted to.

He may even have threatened her with that: If you run away I'll find you and kill you. Small wonder she didn't register, if she believed him.

He may have been hurting / threatening the kid, which is another reason why she didn't contact him.

If she had no knowledge of abused women's shelters, support, emergency food, or no idea how to get such information anonymously (or thought she couldn't), she was stuck.

It's terrible that she couldn't tell her family where she was, but perhaps she suspected/knew that they would then have told her husband - even if he is abusive, he's still your husband, they might have (already) said. I know that's happened to battered women in Japan.

Living alone with a 3-year-old. No money because no job because no childcare, so no job, so no money, so no childcare...

Why it took so long for the landlord to find them? The tenant is king - once they're in, it's hard to evict them, even if they don't pay rent for months at a time. Anyway, some landlords are slack about checking rent payments, and might not have noticed non-payment for a while.

This is a dreadful and sad story, where clearly she had been abused and threatened, in fear for her and her child's safety, and was in a dire corner with no way out (in her mind).

If only there were more, clearcut, readily-available information for people in this situation, with the promise of absolute anonymity - and let's face it, this country is rubbish at anonymity.

They promised anonymity at the Kumamoto baby hatch, but we know that's not the case.

The police give personal information out to anyone who asks it, as do ward offices. As will your next-door neighbour, if asked. They sweat about "puribashee" at work, but sod the common wo/man.

It's easy (and partly right) to blame this woman for her ignorance and fear when you haven't been there yourself, you come from a country where help is available, and you are already informed about such matters in Japan. Obviously she wasn't... More's the pity.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

What does this have to do with equal rights?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Lowly, reading your post, it occurred to me that too often, adults are treated like chattels, be it the employee, the adult child or wife, whereby responsibility for their actions and welfare rests with an employer, elderly parent or husband.

Citizens were conditioned to accept this by being treated as a child until becoming shakaijin, the social contract of the job for life, and practices such as omiai.

I wouldn't be surprised if this poor woman's husband was still receiving child benefit/kodomo teatte into his bank account rather than hers, as I do, much to my annoyance.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This is beyond sad.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is kind of impossible....I do not know how. The only term I can accept is she was mentaly insane...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well interpreted Maria. Agree with your description of her limited possibilities. Not uncommon phenomena in societies with strong patriarchal systems. I hope these pathological systems are changing for japans own benefit.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

This is Japan. There are no visitation rights for fathers. There's no way the city or police would have contacted him unless it was clear the mother was abusing her child. When a Japanese mother wants to cut off all contact woth a father, the state helps her and will never notify their location to the father. This is a major issue in Japan so I doubt this woman was unaware of this.

IMO this woman deliberately avoided assistance and quite clearly had mental issues. The state should have spotted that earlier and forcibly taken custody of the child and put the mother in mental care. But I'm not sure how they would have found someone in hiding...

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

this is involuntary emaciation so i assume the kid must have cried plenty of times, and since they lived in poverty, the apartment must have thin walls

where are the neighbors? some people must have heard something, come on...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@justbcuzisay

The issue I see is why she felt the police couldn't protect her?

I have heard that recently, it may be possible to get police protection for abused wives - but it hasn't always been the case.

I think Maria summed it up very well.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

She seemed to be totally paranoiac and isolating herself from anybody that might help

Sometimes domestic violence will cause normally rational people to do irrational things. Fear can do that to a person.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@maria - I think you are right about the updates. I forgot that happens

@LFRAgain - I agree, it is hard to imagine the kind of fear this woman lived in. And people around her such as her family might have told her 'ganman' (endure) or 'shoganai' (nothing can be done) the two favorite words in Japan

1 ( +3 / -2 )

WHAT!! February and it is May, I wonder why Poilce or people did report this ealier, hmmm but it sad see this has happen to them...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There are soup kitchens all over the place

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The state must always protect the truely needy.

This is a tragedy that should never of happened, tax dollars should be used to ensure that those who are truely needy get help.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

is this really happening in the year twenty thirteen?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I haven't wept in a long time, but this is terrible. It's ridiculously unfortunate that the Japanese government doesn't have any programs (that I know of) to assist people in these types of situations. At least in the US we have a food assistance program for the homeless as well as the charitable organizations that provide food banks and soup kitchens. No reason they should have died of starvation...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Upgrayedd: "IMO this woman deliberately avoided assistance and quite clearly had mental issues. The state should have spotted that earlier and forcibly taken custody of the child and put the mother in mental care. But I'm not sure how they would have found someone in hiding..."

Perhaps by actually LOOKING they might have found her, or more importantly found the child. It's a little thing called social services. Beyond that, I agree with your post, for a change.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Socialism at it's best protecting predators while ignoring the well being of those being tortured, tormented and terrorize. How evil of this woman to kill her child because of the hatred toward her husband.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

i think she feared the abusive husband hunting her down.

in a male centric society like Japan...how do women voice out against abuse?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I haven't wept in a long time, but this is terrible. It's ridiculously unfortunate that the Japanese government doesn't have any programs (that I know of) to assist people in these types of situations. At least in the US we have a food assistance program for the homeless as well as the charitable organizations that provide food banks and soup kitchens. No reason they should have died of starvation...

Japan does have quite extensive social programs. This lady and her son died because she simply didn't seek them out.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The society killed them.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Japan does have quite extensive social programs. This lady and her son died because she simply didn't seek them out.

Probably because so many people bash them for seeking support.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The sign of a weak social system and a weak society where the most vulnerable (usually kids) suffer the most. RIP little girl, it was not your fault.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Truly a sad story

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Upgrayedd: "Japan does have quite extensive social programs. This lady and her son died because she simply didn't seek them out."

Yes, a system that requires heaps of red tape to prove you are the victim, then make you more of one as a result. Then they blame you for it, like you are doing.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Without a national and local system to maintain / publicize an abuse hotline and shelter, Japanese women don't even have a buddhist temple to run to these days.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

It would take some serious willpower to starve yourself to death. Poor kid wasn't given a choice though. Don't like making assumptions but one would assume the 3-year-old daughter died first as an adult can generally live longer without food. I hope it wasn't the other way round. Terribly lonely story, and even sadder that's it true.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Yes, there is a food bank there. The Kozmoz Kansai food bank delivers 365 days a year to institutions and even makes care drops directly in cases such as this. However food banking is still relatively new to Japan. More volunteers means a higher profile that may just have saved this woman and child.

Japan has a fine welfare and public health system but many times people fail to avail themselves of it for a variety of reasons. In order to receive benefits however, people need to register at their ward office. This woman was probably afraid registration may have disclosed her whereabouts. I can attest to the fact that information does leak for a price.

We all need to be alert, meet our neighbors and be their support when they can't manage themselves.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

justbcuzisay exactly my thought there is more to this story.RIP mother and child.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Wow, this is wrong on so many levels. Abusive husband not in jail? Not able to get help with food from the government? Nobody noticed they were missing? No help from her family? Not found until May? Tragic! Epic fail! There might be more missing from the story but jeepers, this is so sad. RIP indeed.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Once again, a woman does something stupid (and sick) and she is the victim (i.e. why does she get to rest in peace after putting her child in this situation?), and the guy is the scapegoat. Worst case scenario, is that she was a sane, loving mother in an abusive relationship (assuming that she was also only a victim and not dishing out her own abuse to either the husband or the child and he was just a total monster). Even inn this case there is no reason for the kid to starve if she sought help (parents, friends, strangers on the street, shelters, food bank, she could even borrow money from a Koban!…discarded grocery or restaurant food!!). If she had the will to survive and for her child to live, a loving mother/parent would find a way - no excuses.

Obviously there is a bunch of info missing, and I don't accept her word as gospel that she was in abusive relationship. Why is that a fact, simply because she says so? Why is his guilt or innocence simply pending her word?

What it seems is that she was either very selfish or very sick;

1). If not sick and her motive for removing the kid was out of fear for the child's safety and welfare, then why did that child die with her? 2.) If mentally ill, then the allegations of "abuse" are even harder to believe and the kid and father are likely victims of her condition.

If she is ill, I do feel sorry for her…and the kid and the father. If she is selfish, then she deserves no rest at all and my condolences to the father and kid. If she was on the run from an abusive man, I simply see no evidence that his abuse was any worse then her negligence.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

It's not surprising but it is interesting that they never published the husband/Fathers name and the police know that he was an abuser. Unlike the case of the Japanese diplomat now in jail in the US, this happened in Japan. Since the polices couldn't or wouldn't help, you have to wonder.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

No one found out because it's cultural. You don't mess with other peoples business. Americans have a hard time understanding the concept. Sawaranu kami ni tatarinashi.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

God Bless.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Cecil John Howell

I don't accept her word as gospel that she was in abusive relationship.

That's the whole problem right there ! And (unfortunately) you are not the only one !

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Perhaps everyone who blames the mother are not aware of the effects of starvation. Also, if the mother was so fearful of her husband then she might have given her child most of her food (which I would do if I thought we were in danger of our lives).

"The energy deficiency inherent in starvation causes fatigue and renders the victim more apathetic over time. As the starving person becomes too weak to move or even eat, their interaction with the surrounding world diminishes."

I think that a lot of people commenting are making scenarios of what might have happened (including myself). This is a very tragic story and I feel very strongly about the death of that poor innocent child.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Cecil John Howell

...and I hadn't even finished reading your comment ! I seriously think you should refrain from trying to be a psychiatrist and/or an armchair detective, you'd fail at both, miserably.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Police were quoted as saying that the woman had been estranged from her husband who was abusing her since last year. The woman had not told her husband or her family where she was for fear that he would find her. I wanted to give her more nutritious food.

Some messed up things in this article.

The police KNEW she was in an abusive relationship since last year (thanks for helping out with that J-cops) She moved to another place moving to my last place set me back 250,000 yen(where did that come from) How about some regular food

Of course there are more details but, do you know that it takes "WEEKS" to starve to death. I'd respect her more if she was caught stealing food.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I really cannot understand why this kind of deaths are happening in Japan. What is wrong with the Japanese society?. Family ties?. Friends?. Japanese way of thinking? The value of marriage? Raising a child? Can I literally say this only happen in Japan? My heart bleeds whenever I read news like these. It still rings in my ear when my ex Japanese father in law told me, in Japan, work is number one and family secondary. Everyday I keep on thinking how are my kids doing with their mother, who, with her own family jump on me forcing me to sign the divorce paper after I met a severe air turbulence incident on board an airline breaking my cervical and thoracic spine on my way back to Narita and caused me to be bed ridden and not capable to work.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Thisawful! So sad! I KNOW how abuse feels, she probably felt all alone and helpless regardless of what any of us on the outside may think. And that poor child...RIP I'll draw something for rhem:

天に良く笑いて~♥     ∧,,∧ キーコ (・ω・)   ~ (_゜T゜     ゜ ̄゜

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So unspeakably sad. I can not imagine living with a starving 3-year old. Horrible.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I saw this article the other day and have been pondering on it for a while. Japans economic crisis? Japans socially lost generation?

Yesterday I was at a friends for coffee here in the US when her husband (a paramedic) called. He was at work and had just finished a job. He was called to a place where a 2 month old baby was found dead. He was only 6lbs. He had died of starvation. The parents were of course arrested. What has shocked me is that here, this hasnt even made the news. I only knew of it because I happened to be at their house when he called.

Im not saying that this is an excuse or ok in any way because it happens elsewhere. Just that many times on here people have said it happens everywhere and Japan is no better or worse than anywhere else. But after 11 years living in Japan you - I at least - got into a sort of bubble where this hits the news and gives a bad impression of Japan. It is only since I stepped out and started living elsewhere that I have started to realize these people were right, and the only difference is that this kind of thing still actually makes the news in Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I feel painful. I don't want to read such a news any more.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's a really horrible story, creepy and sad in the same time.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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