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38-Year-Old Woman Dies at Disability Facility After Bath at 50°C Causes Burns, Police Investigate Possible Negligence

A 38-year-old woman with disabilities died after suffering severe burns while bathing at the Hitakami-en facility in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, police revealed. Kana Abe developed extensive skin damage following staff-assisted bathing in 2022, and later died in hospital from respiratory failure caused by burns covering 60 percent of her body. A facility report suggested the bathwater temperature was about 50 degrees Celsius. Police are investigating the incident on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death.

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by Michael Gillan Peckitt
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From TV Asahi

September 8 2025

Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture – A female resident at a disability facility died after suffering extensive burns.

In 2022, Kana Abe (then 38), who was living at the “Hitakami-en” disability facility in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, developed symptoms such as peeling skin after taking a bath with staff assistance.

She was taken to a hospital but suffered burns over 60 percent of her body and went into respiratory failure, dying three days later.

A facility report estimated the bathwater temperature was around 50°C.

Police are investigating the case on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death.

2 comments on “38-Year-Old Woman Dies at Disability Facility After Bath at 50°C Causes Burns, Police Investigate Possible Negligence”

  1. Pingback: Further Details Emerge About Burns Victim at Ishinomaki Facility for People with Disabilities – Barrier Free Japan

  2. Pingback: 38-Year-Old Woman Dies at Ishinomaki Disability Facility After Bath at 50°C Causes Burns in 2022, Police Investigate Possible Negligence in 2025 [Podcast Episode] – Barrier Free Japan

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