It's important to be aware that this is not just a family problem but a social issue. We hope that this survey will help teachers and staff, who have many opportunities to interact with children, to detect any abnormalities.

Ai Nishisako, co-chair of Tsurumi Young Carers Lab, a group of care managers and mental health workers in a Yokohama ward. It conducted a survey which found that over 40% of the teachers and staff at elementary schools and over 60% of those at junior high schools in Tsurumi Ward are aware of young people who provide nursing care and other help to family members, among their students.

© Mainichi Shimbun