20 Percent of Children of Traffic Accident Victims in Japan Become Family Caregivers

From Jiji

August 23 2024

TOKYO – Nearly 20 pct of young people in Japan whose parents have been killed or left permanently disabled in traffic accidents are caregivers of family members, a recent survey by an association for children of traffic accident victims showed. 

The online survey in March was the first time the association has asked about young caregivers, who provide long-term daily care for family members during their adolescence.

The survey received 366 responses from 830 high school and college students who have benefitted from a scholarship program the association administers for children of traffic accident victims.

The survey found that 15.8 pct of respondents said they have at least one family member to take care of, with the share being 16.7 pct for high school students and 15.9 pct for college students.

Those who take care of a father accounted for 36.2 pct of the total, the largest group, followed by care of a mother, at 29.3 pct. Much of the care given involves housework and accompanying a parent outside the home.