Japan's Child Abuse Reaches Record High
By YURI KAGEYAMA

TOKYO (AP) -- Child abuse cases in Japan have risen to a record high, according to police data released Thursday, fanning concerns about safeguards in a society long known for strong family values.

Japan has boasted a reputation as a relatively crime-free nation, and has a culture that prides itself on pampering, even spoiling, children. But recent high-profile cases of child abuse have shattered that image, and have unveiled communities that have grown impersonal and uncaring for the plight of children.

Drawing widespread attention were media reports last month of a woman who was arrested after abandoning her two children, age 3 and 1, in her apartment without food or water until they died. Neighbors said they heard the children crying hysterically, but nobody did anything about it.

During the first six months of this year, there were reports of 187 children who were victims of abuse, mostly physical abuse but some sexual, the highest since such records began to be compiled in 2000, the National Police Agency said. The cases resulted in 18 deaths, and 199 people were arrested, it said.

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The dirty little secret about Japan is that the Japanese Police are very reluctant or refuse to intervene in family issues. Consequently, many things go unreported and are not addressed.

187 cases in a country of 120 million? Ok, one case is too much but you gotta think statistically their actual abuse rate is pretty low.

I just googled around and here's what I found about the US:

"More than 1.25 million, or 1 in every 58 children in the United States, were abused in 2006. More than 771,700 were victims of neglect. Another 44 percent were victims of abuse (553,300 children), including physical abuse (325,000 children), sexual abuse (135,000 children), and emotional abuse (148,500 children)."

Let's stop taking pot-shots at Japan.

Only a small portion of the iceberg is visible above the water.

I suspect that it's not so much as an increasing amount of child abuse as an increase in the amount of abuse that is getting reported.

If you read the papers and reports only the childern that have died are being reported. And I dont think that all the children that have died from abuse are being reported all the time. It only seems to be the very young or the very very cruely/strangly abused. So that leaves alot for what isnt being reported.

Posted By ThaiGuy on 11 Aug 2010 07:12 AM
187 cases in a country of 120 million? Ok, one case is too much but you gotta think statistically their actual abuse rate is pretty low.

I just googled around and here's what I found about the US:

"More than 1.25 million, or 1 in every 58 children in the United States, were abused in 2006. More than 771,700 were victims of neglect. Another 44 percent were victims of abuse (553,300 children), including physical abuse (325,000 children), sexual abuse (135,000 children), and emotional abuse (148,500 children)."

Let's stop taking pot-shots at Japan.

Not that I want to say japan is bad or anything, but Japan is much smaller compared to the States. Just want people to consider that factor in this case when Japan is compared to the States. Nothing more, nothing less.

I admit about it

because of education. recently low levels of teacher has been increased in public schools

american has oppotunity to be taught about morals etc by bible or at church.
even if we don't go to church or temple. Japanese had morals . because we had bushido
that was one of Japanese pride..

Japan has been lost dignity of state and will be ruined as it is

I good to see they beat their kids so the police dont have too later...

Taka I dont think this should hurt any part of Japanesse pride.In every society in every culture it happends. Its sad and wrong but it happends. On the bright side it gives Japan and any community it happends in a chance to come together. Its the bonds we make by comming together that make us communities. This should be seen as a challange to come together to boost pride.