Safety check on kids likely to cover tens of thousands

February 15, 2019

Tokyo--The Japanese government expects to survey tens of thousands of children to confirm their safety following a fatal child abuse case, education minister Masahiko Shibayama said Friday.

The government requested the prefectural boards of education and other authorities to start the safety check on children who have been absent from schools since Feb. 1, after the death of a 10-year-old girl in Chiba Prefecture.

"It'll be a great burden on school staff near the end of the school year, but I hope they'll give top priority to the safety of children and cooperate," Shibayama told a press conference.

According to the ministry, a total of 47,000 public and private kindergartens, elementary and junior high schools will be covered by the survey.

The ministry calls on school staff to meet children in person to check their safety.

Last month, Mia Kurihiara, an elementary school fourth-grader, died at her home in Noda, Chiba, after alleged assaults by her father, Yuichiro, 41.

Also on Friday, the welfare ministry announced a plan to set up a team with the education ministry to investigate the incident and draw up preventative measures. The team is expected to draw up an interim report by the end of May. Jiji Press