Abuse found to take place at care facility for intellectually disabled children, expired food offered, air-con rarely used in summer

From The Yomiuri Shimbun

December 28 2022

FUKUSHIMA – On December 28th, the Fukushima prefectural government issued administrative guidance to a day-care facility for children with disabilities in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, recommending that the facility improve its management, as the chairperson of the non-profit organization operating the facility had engaged in abusive behaviour, such as yelling at users. The guidance was issued on December 26th, and the NPO intends to replace the chairperson in the future.

The abuse took place at Morinokuma-san, a day-care facility for primary schools children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. As a result of an audit conducted by the prefectural government after receiving information from the city, it was found that the chairwoman had been committing abusive acts for several years, including: (1) using expired or outdated foodstuffs in meals served; (2) giving warnings in an abusive voice such as “no rice”; and (3) rarely using the air-conditioner in the summer.

The facility held an explanatory meeting on December 27th and apologised to the parents. One of the parents who attended, upon learning that her son had been verbally abused by the director, said, “It brings tears to my eyes to think of the hardships my son has gone through.