Everyone here says, 'Children are important,' but that's bogus. Children have always taken a back seat to adults' interests in Japan. That has to change.

If you read Tamotsu Sugano's or listen to his speech at the foreign correspondents club below, he explains that the real intention of nippon kaigi is to repeal article 24, of the constitution which guarantees the rights of women and children be protected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZNCzZcQck

If NK succeed in doing that, children will have even less rights; practically none.

Someone who actually calls a spade spade. Children welfare in this country is pathetic. More about protecting adults than anything.

There are increasing number of japaneses, criticizing both the laws and the general stance of the society. Recently, there is a group called "stop baby-car haters".

I hate to give a comment based on my personal experiences, however:

Honestly, I can say agree to the quote of the day. I've both lived in Turkey, France and in Japan as an expat consecutively, Japan is the most difficult place to raise my children who is 5 years old now, although even he acts as per general manners, I can feel the people's impatience and uncomfortability towards him, if we are in a place that doesn't designated for "only" children.

Comparing to Turkey, a place that puts children / family to the front seat somewhat exaggeratingly, or France who treat everyone as equal, Japan is extremely discriminative to children and families with children.

As an educator I’ve wondered for years how outdated teaching methods that could easily be updated and upgraded have lasted for so long. The ‘children are our future’ motto and the intrinsic desire to make things better for the next generation seems to be a bit missing, across the board. What makes humans thrive?

Maybe Shiozaki is onto something. If it’s true, every efforts to correct it should be made. Neglect the kids at your peril! Theirs and yours!

After 30+ years here I'll give this opinion:

Generally kids have it very good in Japan. They are mostly in equally good circumstances to other developed nations and far better circumstances that developing countries.

Some lacks to their rights and welfare in Japan are:

No enough time with their dads who tend to work too long hours or are working in another city.

For urban children there very few clean, good quality parks and play areas.

1/6th of children are living below the poverty line.

Orphaned children have very little chance of being adopted.

High number of divorces leads to children suffering emotionally and not being lovingly raised by both biological parents.

High rates of child abuse. (Though the government is tackling this vigorously)

Concerned, how do they have it very good here? You've pointed out numerous issues. I'd add in juku/juken starting are far too early and kinds not really have a chance to grow up and play outside.

Not enough time with parents working FT - isn't juts dads on this. FT working women often work the same hours as FT working men - then are expected to do most of the domestic labour.

1/6 kids in poverty. The lowest (or second lowest - only to the US) for any OCED nation.

Lowest level of government spending on education.

Outdated teaching methods and expectations.

Divorce isn't the issue - better to be raised by a single mother than grown up watching an abusive relationship and thinking that is the norm or growing up watching two parent who don'T like each other stay together. The issue is the stigma of divorce and the courts not allowing joint custody or giving the other parent visiting rights, allowing dads not to pay for child fees that they are supposed to.

Child abuse in deed but I disagree with that Japan is " tackling this vigorously." They're doing nothing but creating laws that have no punishments. Much like "womenomics" this means nothing and nothing will change for the kids who are abused.

Kudos to this guy for spelling it out. Just this morning some old man was screaming at children for playing in a park behind my apartment, and the mothers had to bow in front of him and apologise. I think he was mad he couldn't drink his One Cup Ozaki at 7:50 a.m. in peace before sleeping it off in the park. And he's not the only one who shouts at kids playing in the park. Earlier this year they removed the slide and cute Camel shaped bench to discourage kids from playing in it.

@tmarie

Interesting comments....I'll reply in bold below

Concerned, how do they have it very good here? My point was 'in comparison to most countries'. You've pointed out numerous issues. I'd add in juku/juken starting are far too early and kinds not really have a chance to grow up and play outside.

Not enough time with parents working FT - isn't juts dads on this. FT working women often work the same hours as FT working men - then are expected to do most of the domestic labour. Sure this is also a contributing factor, but similar to other countries.

1/6 kids in poverty. The lowest (or second lowest - only to the US) for any OCED nation. A good record, but still a problem for the actual poor kids and needs to be improved.

Lowest level of government spending on education.

Outdated teaching methods and expectations.

Divorce isn't the issue - better to be raised by a single mother than grown up watching an abusive relationship and thinking that is the norm or growing up watching two parent who don'T like each other stay together. The issue is the stigma of divorce and the courts not allowing joint custody or giving the other parent visiting rights, allowing dads not to pay for child fees that they are supposed to. I agree. Although I think the best solution is for men and women to learn to make their relationships work better (better communications skills, problem solving, anger management, romance, play, self sacrifice, etc.)

Child abuse in deed but I disagree with that Japan is " tackling this vigorously." They're doing nothing but creating laws that have no punishments. Much like "womenomics" this means nothing and nothing will change for the kids who are abused. True, but at least they are far more aware of the problem and have highlighted it resulting is some progress.

Comparatively, Japan is quite a good country for raising kids. It has some problems that need to be dealt with, but I'd rather raise my several kids here than a lot of other countries.

Yes, that's became the bitter truth of our society