1 child dead, 2 in critical condition after condo fire

the parent may have left home for a while to buy some food for lunch.

At 9:50 in the evening?　Sounds more like she put the kids to bed and then went .... out.

Poor kids.

A lesson for all parents, again. Don't leave your children alone, even for 5 minutes because anything could happen.

@Strangerland - What makes you think it's a Japan thing?

Possibly because I am in Japan and this article is also in Japan. Plus, kids being left alone and ending up dead is a very common scenario in Japan. There has been quite a few recent reports of young kids being left alone and going over the balcony railing. Young children should never be left alone. It is actually illegal to leave children under 12 years old unsupervised in other 'developed' countries.

A 5 year old, a 4 year old and an 8 month old baby left at home alone? There are some serious parenting ethics issues in Japan. Now, they are all dead. I guess the mother won't have to worry about leaving them home alone anymore - if she worried it in the first place.

Its only in Japan for sure! It's common sense that someone will not leave the kids alone for even few minutes. Japan has many isolated families. No one to look after babies unless the parents do. Most of other countries grandma, baby sitter or family friend will be there. Japanese people hate interconnections. Well, Old people do have, but not the young generation. It is even almost impossible to put kids to the day care unless both parents are working.

On the news now. Microwave with something metal put in it. Perhaps the oldest kid put in jiffy-pop with a metal tray meant for a stove top.

Possibly because I am in Japan and this article is also in Japan. Plus, kids being left alone and ending up dead is a very common scenario in Japan.

Fair enough as to why you would think that it's a Japan thing.

It's definitely not only Japan though, it happens in pretty much every country.

It is actually illegal to leave children under 12 years old unsupervised in other 'developed' countries.

A very quick google shows me:

United states: 8 - 14, depending on the state

Canada: recommendation of 10, but no law

UK: no law, but it’s an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk.

Australia: No law, though it says in Queensland if you leave a child under 12 years of age for an 'unreasonable time' without supervision you have committed a misdemeanour.

So which developed countries are you referring to?

Disillusioned Today 06:45 pm JST

A 5 year old, a 4 year old and an 8 month old baby left at home alone? There are some serious parenting ethics issues in Japan.

I do not think so. For example, the parent may have left home for a while to buy some food for lunch.

There are some serious parenting ethics issues in Japan

What makes you think it's a Japan thing?