Category: Children

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 3, 2025 Number of comments0
Aichi Children Crime Japan

Body of Dead High School Girl Shows Many Stab Wounds

Stab wounds are concentrated on the upper body of 16 year old Tokyo high school girl, Waka Kato, who was found dead in a house in Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture, two days ago, police sources said Wednesday. According to the police, an autopsy found that Kato died of hemorrhagic shock on Sunday or so. Many stab wounds and slashes on the back of her upper body, notably above the shoulders, suggest the possibility that she was attacked from behind, people familiar with the autopsy results said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 1, 2025 Number of comments0
Birth Rate Children Health Japan

Half of Needy Households in Japan Unable to Buy Diapers

As many as 49.2 pct of needy households with infants have experienced an inability to buy disposable diapers due to economic reasons, according to a survey by international nongovernmental organization Save the Children Japan. 
   An inability to buy baby formula has been experienced by 39.6 pct.
   According to the survey, conducted online between June and August last year, 74.6 pct of respondents said they changed diapers less often when they couldn’t buy diapers, while an inability to buy powdered milk led 41.1 pct to feed babies with diluted formula and 27.9 pct to use less of it.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 30, 2025 Number of comments0
Children Health Japan Pregnancy

Secondhand Smoke More Than Doubles Placental Abruption Risk Tohoku University Study Indicates

Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy increases by about 2.3 times the risk of placental abruption, a condition in which part of the placenta separates from the uterine wall before childbirth, according to a study conducted by a team from Japan’s Tohoku University.  It found that pregnant women exposed to secondhand smoke for four to seven days a week and at least an hour a day had 2.34 times the risk of suffering placental abruption compared with those who were not. The risk was 2.21 times higher among pregnant women who smoked at least 11 cigarettes per day compared with nonsmokers.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Children Day Care Service Disability Japan Podcast

Sendai Parents of Children with Disabilities Call for Increase in Short-term Hospital Beds [Podcast Episode]

An organization made up of parents of severely physically and mentally disabled children receiving medical care at home has requested Sendai City to expand hospital beds and day care services. The organization visited Aoba Ward Office in Sendai City on March 24th and handed in a request letter calling for an increase in short-term hospital beds for severely physically and mentally disabled children and adults who play an important role when their family members are unwell, and an expansion of day care services that they use on a daily basis.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Children Day Care Service Disability Japan

Parents of severely disabled children request Sendai City expand hospital beds and day care services

An organization made up of parents of severely physically and mentally disabled children receiving medical care at home has requested Sendai City to expand hospital beds and day care services. The organization visited Aoba Ward Office in Sendai City on March 24th and handed in a request letter calling for an increase in short-term hospital beds for severely physically and mentally disabled children and adults who play an important role when their family members are unwell, and an expansion of day care services that they use on a daily basis.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 18, 2025 1
Children Education Health Medical

School Health Checkups in Japan Still Cause Trouble with Parents

School doctors in Japan still have to take the risk of facing complaints from parents about their children’s body parts being exposed during regular health checkups although the education ministry took measures to soothe such parental anxiety over a year ago. According to a survey conducted in June by online medical information provider m3.com, more than 80 pct of the 1,970 responding practitioners and physicians did not want to become school doctors chiefly out of concern that parents “more than necessary” tend not to allow their children’s bodies to be shown to the doctors.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Children Health Japan

Children with Tooth Cavities at Record Low in Japan, Eyesight Continues to Deteriorate

The proportion of children with tooth cavities in Japan hit a record low in fiscal 2024, apparently reflecting advice on tooth brushing and other related initiatives at schools, a survey by the health ministry showed Wednesday. Meanwhile, children’s vision continued to deteriorate. The proportion of children whose vision was less than 20/20 stood at 36.84 pct at elementary schools, 60.61 pct at junior high schools and 71.06 pct at high schools, all the highest on record except for fiscal 2020 to fiscal 2023, when the survey period was different.