Japan's Throwaway Children | 101 East |日本の捨て児
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2014
- In a country that frowns upon foster care, 33,000 children from abusive homes are growing up in state institutions.
In the United Kingdom, United States and other developed countries, abused or neglected children are often sent to live with a foster family. But that rarely happens in Japan, one of the world's wealthiest and most progressive societies.
Close to 90 percent of Japan's troubled children are placed in state institutions - out of sight and out of mind.
Some 33,000 children currently live in such institutions in this society that frowns upon the use of foster care. But critics say the excessive reliance on 131 child nursing homes across the country represents a form of abuse in itself.
Inside these institutions there are babies as young as six months old, and institutionalised children spend on average five years in the nursing homes. This is despite United Nations guidelines stipulating that alternative care for children under the age of three should almost always be in family-based settings.
Human Rights Watch found that Japan's alternative child care system suffers from overly large institutions where physical space is limited and chances for bonding are scarce. There are poor conditions of the facilities; physical and sexual abuse, by both caregivers and other children, occurs; and there are insufficient mechanisms for children to report problems.
"It's heartbreaking to see children crammed into institutions and deprived of the chance for life in a caring family setting," says Kanae Doi, the Japan director at Human Rights Watch.
Critics say the overwhelming use of institutions instead of family-based care is failing thousands of vulnerable children by not preparing them for independent, productive lives in Japanese society. They are calling for the Japanese government to overhaul its alternative care system, which they say harms the well-being and healthy development of children and infants, and contravenes international children's rights.
Foster care has not emerged as a viable alternative for abused children in Japan because governments have failed to properly train carers, monitor the placements, or adequately educate the public about its benefits. As a result, one-quarter of the children placed in such settings return to institutions.
In the Japanese child welfare system, biological parents retain all legal rights over their child even if they have an abusive history - leading many to have very unstable childhoods.
"I think the government completely lacks the concept of children's rights. The number of children receiving alternative care is extremely small so they are a minority. So the thinking is that it doesn't matter what happens to those kids, they have no one to speak up for them," says Tetsuo Tsuzaki, a child protection expert from Kyoto Prefectural University.
With child abuse cases rising to a record 73,000 cases last year, the problem of institutions and where to place troubled children is unlikely to go away.
101 East gains unprecedented access to these institutions and investigates Japan's hidden shame: the neglect of its most vulnerable children.
What can be done to improve the lives of 33,000 child abuse victims living in Japan's state institutions? #ThrowawayChildren on @AJ101East
Reporter's blog
By Drew Ambrose
In Japan, when a child is removed from his or her parents due to neglect, they are more likely to be placed in an institution, rather than a foster home.
Japan strongly values blood ties, so welcoming a stranger’s child into a family seems unnatural to many people. Some parents believe a foster family could steal their son or daughter forever, so choose to send them to an institution instead.
Mothers are clueless about child-rearing. But there is no institution where they can learn about it and that is why the chain reaction of abuse cannot be stopped.
Yuki Okada, musician
As a result, a staggering 85 percent of children in Japanese institutions are victims of physical and sexual abuse.
In my home country Australia, foster care is thought to be the best course of action for children who have suffered at the hands of their parents. So in Japan, seeing children housed in facilities that often look like run-down orphanages seemed strange given how progressive and modern the country is.
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If only Elderly who are often lonely could be involved to help the staff. Babies need so much love and Elders have so much love to give.
A bit of a paradox because much of the elderly all over the world are ignored and need care just like children do...and aren't receiving it. But I agree, if you're elderly AND healthy/self-sustaining, it's a great opportunity to pair foster children with them.
That's possibly the best idea I've ever read typed anywhere in YT. Children and elders love being with the other. Someone in a position of power and influence there should be persuaded to see things your way. Who would listen?
I forgot where it is but there’s a elderly home that is next to a orphanage and allow both sides to socialize while supervised and they noticed the children and elders didn’t suffer as many emotional or mental issues that usually comes with these places.
The elders will be loved while their loving the childrens..
@@victoranne5913 I had seen a video, I belive from a Scandinavian country, where there was a child care center in a Senior nursing home. It seemed as though it was a huge success and win win for everyone.
That's sad that the little girl has been with that lovely couple for six years, calls them mommy and daddy, and yet they're not allowed to adopt her.
Shadowed Kiss that is the biggest issue with children. I fostered a child for 2 years bit wasnt even allowed to take her on a family holiday
I am PINKIE Daniels - That seems like an unnecessary restriction... are you in Japan as well, or somewhere else?
@@blurquoise5301 I'm in Australia 💞
@@schizophrenicprojection5126 OMG, that is absolutely horrific. :'(
:O oh my goodness gracious
I grew up in the USA foster care system from 7 till I was 18 and then was made to go on my own. I felt the same way these kids felt. I felt no one cared for me and we didn't have parents we had workers. It's what caused me to lash out during my late teens while in foster care. These things still effect me to this day. I wish I had caring parents growing up. Now as a father I try my best to not repeat the sins of the father as they say. I am proud I have survived and have made it to 35.
Blessings over you and your family
I agree! I grew up in my friends house which was horrible most of the time. My dad never came to visit me and mom was living in Texas doing her own thing. I always felt like I had no one except Jesus. But then I got married. I try not to make the same mistakes my folks made too.
Man, I try to teach and tell my son these kind of situations that can happen to him and that he is very lucky. I'm an single mom and trying raise a teenage son that taking life for granted. So sad.
God bless u dear .i know that type of scars never heel
@@aviansato1275 god bless u
If you can't get these children adopted or fostered then you should at least prepare them for life outside, also give them free university places.
And the same in the USA!
I agree, guide them to what's right and wrong outside and they'll know how to live.
@@argoneonoble i wont deny that be we certainly dont only rely on orphanages. Their culture treats them as lost cause losers. At least here our culture is way into giving 2nd chances
God bless the couple in their 70's
+Adriano De Wes-Molyneux I'd SECOND that notion
I started to tear up for that child who had to leave them. It shows how wonderful her foster parents were, specially at their age to take care of so many young kids. I can't begin to express how much I admire them
I agree, I would love to donate to them, they are so caring
Adriano De Wes-Molyneux That couple is what I hope and pray to be in the future. I want to care for as many kids as possible. I was lucky to be born in a loving family. I want to care and give them a loving family too. I'm only 15 years old right now and I'm not sure what my future would be, but this is the one dream I will never give up.
I have no idea why I'm commenting this.
People don't understand how much of a difference a good fostercare home can make in a child's life. My mother was a foster parent for 10 years. The only time fostercare goes wrong is if the foster parents arecrappy/ are not screen thoroughly enough.
"You can learn a great deal about a society by the way it treats the most vulnerable citizens.." Enough said?
You're my WhatsApp status. 😃 👍
Quote by Nelson Mandela
@@kerenngonga350 Thanks, oftentimes people forget where they heard a quote so it's a good reminder.
This ignorant
@@kerenngonga350 Nope. Sometimes attributed to Gandhi it is actually a shortened version of a Hubert Humphrey quote.
My utmost respect to the elderly couple who selflessly take care of these kids.
Absolutely, they're amazing people.
Poor little baby has been with this couple, calls them mommy and daddy, for SIX YEARS. Heartbreaking.
Isn't it horrible? I think if the bio parent can't their act together within 18 mos. their parental rights should be severed. It's too traumatic for the child!
once a week I volunteer at one of these orphanages here in Tokyo.
the children are always sweet...however it always heartbreaking in the end as they always cry when we left 😢
Can a foreigner volunteers there also?
yes, but to adopt you need citizenship and to write to the government
nora www.handsontokyo.org/en/volunteer_activities/our_programs/infants_and_childrens_home yes!!
Vitani Vitani yes i volunteered through Hands On Tokyo. They have a varieties of fantastic activities.
Well done for doing something so positive. There's nothing more important than helping the most vulnerable in society.
This broke my heart. I lived in japan for about a year and my husband and I have been saying that we want to adopt someday as we decided from the beginning that we don’t want to have our own children.
I remember talking to a Japanese woman who has been trying to adopt but it has been hard for her because, i quot: “she already has 2 children of her own”.
I couldn’t believe it when she told me.
She and her husband are super rich, have a huge house with more than enough space and in one of the best areas in Tokyo and she has been so passionate to adopt. She got to foster a child once and was trying to adopt but then the child was taken away from her. Terrible.... I love japan but this is just one of the things I cry about.
He is 18 now, I wonder how is Daichi doing ? wishing he has a good life now
It's sad to say I doubt it.. because many of those children in state-run orphanages have many problems like the social, emotional and most importantly some sort mental problems with varying degrees. What's really tragic about this is, these kids are already at greater disadvantages especially when it comes to education like graduating high school, which is a bare minimum in today's society. Going to a post-secondary institution is a must and even still getting a diploma/degree is not enough, where the developed country is a highly digitalized society so some sort of technical competency or tech-savvy is an absolute and even more so in such globalized society, people need to speak and if possible read and write in 3 different major languages and English (since it has become a global Lingua Franca) is a must then others would be Chinese (I wished I studied Chinese earlier, which is what I am doing now with great difficulty), Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Arabic, Hindi and to a lesser extent Russian, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese, Korean and Italian.
So most of these kids are screwed since some of them will never graduate high school and even in the military these days demand basics in literacy and mathematics, far as I recall in the Canadian Armed Force the individual at the very least attended grade 10 or equivalent (i.e. online courses to night school) to be eligible to be enlisted. Those kids who graduate high school will need to go to a post-secondary institution and graduate, even then it depends on what trade they studied or what they majored in.
So unless Daichi is a successful artist, musician, TH-camr or really creative I think the odds are against him, not just Daichi but most of the orphaned kids who grew up in an institution.
@@ProbotX-eo5ln Daichi seems to very creative and driven person so he could be successful in the end. His pain and struggle in this orphanage could play a role in his success. I am hopeful that God willing he will shine one day. May God bless him and other orphans around the world and ease their pain. Luck can play a huge role for him to be successful in his future. Overanalysising in a painful situation like this can be easy for "realist" to have pessimistic predictions about others' futures when they can't tell their own future . I am hopeful that his situation will be much better than your prediction despite a long list of tragedies in his life he can use those time experience into his skills which can be powerful and uplifting . I will pray for all the orphans, children like him and God willing one of my intention is to open an orphanage for children like these and Adopt them too into my household.
Inn Shaa Allah
He seems way more mature than I was at his age. I hope he does well
God bless him
Wow, that elderly couple that has fostered so many children
God bless them
Yes, they are amazing people!
@@josephperetore2034 Buda dude. Jesus is a rampage demon in the view in Japan. And remember, polygenisis theory says that different entities created human-like beings. I don't know if that is true, but something can explains the diversity of religions.
It's sad that the foster parents, who raised their foster daughter for most of her life, have no input or rights over the child. They even observed that the biological mother's remarriage may not provide a stable environment for the child. It's cruel.
the Nagai's are wonderful people. speaking as an adoptee, every child deserves a good, stable home.
Gysele van Santen so many people having kids and then not taking care of them and just not considering the impact this makes on the child, society and the world and yet people out there complaining about abortions?!!! Me and my partner will definitely be adopting! You just sharing this simple comment inspires me more since people like you could have such a different story
Someone I used to know once told me the best place for a baby is with his or her biological mother. This is not always true. I was unwanted & abandoned; had my parents not found me & adopted me, my story would have been different, just like you said. It takes a very special person to adopt. Your heart is certainly in the right place, & I wish you all the best.
Yes, I think a lot of people have heard that saying. It's an outdated saying and holds no merit I feel. As a person who is able to have kids, I honestly do not see the point. It's merely a biological instinct that you can override (we are supposedly different from animals... But I reckon humans are the worse animal on this planet). There is great power that comes from changing a life than creating it and it's honestly no feat to create life than compared to changing a life. I hope people will wake up to this and care for the people who have been created so carelessly. Growing up in a loving biological family, it pains me to see people who haven't experienced this because of the stupidity and selfishness of their biological parents
Gysele van Santen-Tomlinson ok
+Dani J Biological instincts serve a purpose. A mother's instinct telling her to keep her baby is good beause it means that she is a normal, loving mother. Instincts should not simply be overridden.
The best place for every child is with their biological mother. that is why it is so tragic when the mother can't or won't take care of her child - because it is not how it is supposed to be in human nature.
Mr. and Mrs Nagai are wonderful people. Anyone else that does what they do are truly wonderful people.
yes... they are wonderful.... the problem is there are more bad foster parents than they are good one... in US 80-90% kids in Foster Care are sexually abused.
@@soro31337 While it does happen to some, that percentage is wayyyyy off.
They are such giving people. No doubt their hearts broke when the little girl was returned to her unloving mother. 💔💔💔
@@soro31337 it is not 80-90%.
I have been a foster parent in the US. It's the same way there. Parental rights first, above all else, even after abuse. I know the pain of sending children back to parents just to be abused again. That isn't right.
It’s so sad, I’m sorry if you ever had to go through that.
as a kid stuck in a bad cycle of abuse, my abusers were told by cps and the school were told to shut up about what they did to me, and to "hit her in more unnoticeable places". im almost fourteen but, one of my abusers has threatened to take my life and punch or kick me down stairs when mad. i cant leave at all or they will make it worse. every little thing i do wrong they either threaten to harm me, or they say i will be to blame if they take their own life. im scared. but i cant afford to be because ive got my little brother and school to worry about, or else they will get mad. i dont know how to help myself. im too tired to cry when it happens now.
@@eightfoottallman just hang in there sweetheart, I'm going to pray for you. Things will get better eventually, just stay strong.
I've never fostered, nor been fostered. But growing up many of my classmates were in and out of the foster care system. Even as a child, and more so now I am disgusted by what some of those kids went through and then they were just passed back to the abuse. So many grandparents were coming forward begging to give the kids a safe stable home, and the courts would send them back to filth, drugs, violence all because their coked out parent pinky swore they'd not do it again. It was so awful to see it happen over and over.
Same in Canada
That old foster couple is so sweet. 😢
This makes me so sad. I also had to deal with home hopping because neither of my parents could take care of me or my sisters.
I hurts me to see kids suffering so much. Nobody should be considered a throw away. A lot of them are going to have so many issues as adults.
❤️
Susannah Stark thanks! 💖 things are much better for all of us now that we are older. We are all diagnosed with borderline personality disorder but we're all learning to live with it. ❤❤❤
Faire Yang Do your parents have BPD too, or just you and your siblings? Do you feel your BPD is from not being in one home, or is it from a feeling of abandonment, or of molestation or physical beatings, or screaming at you, or what?
Mark Le Thanks but I'm 100% independent and happily engaged :)
I have a similar story, BPD and all. My siblings did home hop but not me... we were all separated. But fortunately I was adopted by my uncle and my brothers stayed at our aunt's, so we were able to know eachother and have good relationships. Are you and your sisters on good terms?
Still, because of some stupid laws that put priority on genitors VS foster children and their families, I was 12 when I was officially adopted, and before that the government kept disrupting our family life almost weekly for years (they litteraly sent people to check on us and they weren't kind), so it was pretty unstable.
Jesus, I can't imagine the enormous amount of pain that little girl was experiencing. Calling the mom an dad, and then, she has to be sent back to live with her mother must have been heart-breaking.
As a Canadian, a female, a mother, and just a human with a friggin heart.... this story brought me to tears.
what does your nationality have to do with anything
@@ajrwilde14 As a H20 drinking person, female, dog owner, brunette, I am offended
The orphanage showed in Osaka has been financially and emotionally supported by the 27th infantry regiment "Wolfhounds" for over 60 years now. Having personally witnessed their acts of kindness and love since I was born, I find it truly impossible to fully express my pride and respect for the men and women of this fine unit.
NO FEAR!
Patrick O'Reilly This is true. I lived at this orphanage as a new born until the age of 4 in the early 70’s. I was lucky enough to be adopted by an American family that was stationed in Hawaii. I believed that the Catholic Church helped work with the Japanese government to allow the adoption to occur. I was told later in life that my bio mother, whom I don’t believe ever visited me had to give approval and sign away her parental rights to allow the adoption to happen. I am thankful that she understood that by allowing this adoption, it would lead to a better life for me. The infant and toddler section is actually across the street from the main orphanage building, which is shaped like a U structure with a large court yard in the middle. When you are around the age of 3, you get transitioned over to the main facility. It is nice to see that they have expanded to allow the children live in family home like settings. This is a Catholic run orphanage and when I saw the dome shaped pillars on the exterior, I immediately recognized the place. My memories of the place were that the Catholic nuns were very loving and caring. I had heard stories of the Wolfhounds buying the children gifts during Christmas and how they often sponsor some of the older children on trips to Hawaii during the summer. I want to say thank you to the Wolfhounds for continuing to care and give to these vulnerable children. This was so very disheartening to watch. I remember I had left a friend behind when I got adopted and I still think of her and hoped that her life turned out for the better.
God bless people like them and you .pls continue to do good .God will reward you
The Nagais are wonderful. They should be taken care of themselves in their old age but choose to parent. Their generosity astounds me.
I used to volunteer monthly at a children's home in Japan, and honestly I didn't think too much about it beyond the immediate of what we were doing. If I still lived there I would certainly continue. The kids were so sweet but we seldom if ever had any idea about their circumstances. All we could do was spend the day in play and craft and try to bring a little light. It was a really rewarding experience which I would always look forward to but always left feeling inexplicably down. It was hard to shake the layer of sadness.
Six years and now she has to leave the only people who loved her omggggg 😮😢🤦🏽♀️ That's sickening. Whether that's her mother or not she doesn't know that baby. What she likes, what's she loves.... Her dreams omgggg that's terrible...
It really is awful that she has got to go back to her birth mom.I feel that her adoptive parents should have more right's.its so sad her birth mom most likely wants her back so she can get government assistance for her every month...Truely sad
@@josephperetore2034 they weren't her adoptive parents, but I think they should have been. They were her foster parents. That poor little gir! l
Genetic parents always wins. That's pretty much everywhere in the world including the US.
As a former orphan myself I understand their pain and trauma. I was in a US Catholic orphanage from age 4 to age 10 there were two nuns to take care of the 25 boys in our age group one by day the other by night 12 hour shifts. Their love and religious devotion gave them strength to care for so many children. As with these children our world was very structured and insulated. When I left in the early 60s at age 10 I did not even know who Elvis Presley was. My father could not take care of my two brothers and sister alone, my mother was mentally ill. I am shocked by Japan's attitude being so tragically backwards, especially about foster care, adoption and education. When the tsunami hit and destroyed the coastal area of Japan as well as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant many Japanese children were orphaned. As the world reached out to adopt these children the Japanese government said they would not let foreigners adopt. I though wow, what a loving caring country to take care of their own. I mistakenly assumed other Japanese families would adopt these children but now I realize many will end up as these children did, sad beyond words.
You say you didn't know who Elvis Presley was; didn't you have TV? Did they ever take you to a movie or anywhere? (Actually, I'm not sure I knew who Elvis was when I was only 10.)
Why did Japan prevent foreigners from adopting?
@@valeriadelrio-rodriguez4953 Japan is surprisingly racist and believes themselves superior. Most people don't know or realise this but it is a fact. Having foreigners adopt children from Japan would be seen as handing them over to someone inferior.
Ikajo They’re a very proud type of people... It’s always about the face value!
Japan is very big on bloodline so families don't want to adopt kids from other families. I can somewhat understand because raising a child is a lot of work let alone raising someone elses child It would be as if your wife had a child with another man and you had to look after that mans child.
Ahh bless the Japanese couple in their 70's. Big hearts.
God bless that older couple! They're such great people. They should have their own documentary themselves.
80 kids over 40 years they took in. It's not an easy thing having a few children but these people have had 80. Their sacrifice is so humbling to me. Few people in the world are this giving and I hope it's returned to them ten fold 👏🙏♥️
The elderly couple makes my heart warm. They may not be blood related to those many kids they fostered but I guarantee as the children grow up they will remember them as their parents. They seem so kind and loving ❤
that's horrible that they took the girl back to her mother when she was happy. those foster parents are amazing.
But why?
love that old couple who foster the kids. They seem lovely. wish there were more like them
Serena
When I have a child he/she will have a wholesome life. I too wasn't raised by a mother or a father.
I used to volunteer at a children's institution in Philippines. It was so rewarding but also depressing. The kids don't want toys or stuff. The babies/toddlers just want to be held. They'll literally cling onto you or ask to be held. The older ones just want to be listened to. They all talk over each other trying to get a word in. The baby I remember the most is a 3 month old named Emer. I asked the staff what Emer meant and they told me they named him that because he had been abandoned hours after birth at the emergency room.
I also grew up in an institution and I can honestly tell you this system really leaves you vulnerable and completely stumped when you go out into the real world. What the young boy said about following the rules and not being yourself is true, even after growing up I almost always feel like I have to be on my best behavior. One other thing that no one ever talks about in this system is the sexual assault that happens to both boys and girls perpetrated by the staff or local community and the kids not having a trustworthy adult that they can turn to.
It's truly heartbreaking and I hate it when people expect me to behave normal when I don't really know what normal is because I was shaped to almost always look and be perfect, to achieve the best without given the tools to do so. Please adopt if you can, allow kids to feel a part of family and be themselves and selfish if they want to. Institutionalisation does more harm than good.
May God Bless you!
so sad !:'(
Thanks for sharing your story.... Sending you a hug from South Africa where we now give greater assistance to young ppl who are transitioning out of care when they reach the age of 18. Thank goodness the need for further support was seen and heeded.
Really hard to adopt in the us
I had loving parents and I was assaulted for two years, on and off, age 5-7, by a cousin. No one knows, till date, even after decades. He was a few years older than me. He stopped when I told him I’d expose him.
I'm living in Japan now, and while my English teacher friend is a dear person and rather open and internationalized compared to most Japanese people, I sometimes notice she still holds many of the same strange prejudices the majority of the society holds here. Earlier this week she was just telling me how her sister is dating a man who had grown up in an institution, and therefor, my friend believes she shouldn't be with him, let alone marry him like she wants to. For no other reason than if he grew up in an institution, there's probably something wrong with him. And based on what this story shows, maybe there is, due to trauma, or something. I could not understand how being an orphan suddenly made him sketchy in my friend's eyes, but I think this idea really reflects the society as well. :(
Figgy5119 That's just sad... :( I hope everything ends well with your friend's sister and her boyfriend, and they can live happily ever after.
lol. me china is rich. lol lol. my dad has 7 ferrari and company is rich rich too.
Figgy5119 dude make your friend watch this video
This is unbelievable. How can they use the word 'throw away' for these precious human beings. No wonder i felt there is generally a kind of sadness in Japan's atmosphere when I was there.
There is no atmosphere of sadness in Japan. Come on! There are orphans and unwanted children in every country.
I wish this had Japanese subtitles...people here have no idea about these injustices happening in their own country...
Jessica Nakayama that’s just sad
They know they just don't care
They probably don’t watch TH-cam often like y’all or they don’t really watch American documentaries.
@@rinhayashi7685 this is not an American documentary
They just ignore it. Japan is based on being a part of the majority, never outstanding even if it's for good. 'Throwaway children' are a minority, and thus, no more than a ghost to the eyes of the majority.
As an Australian living in Japan I was interested in adopting a Japanese child. But adoptions are very difficult in Japan, even more so for a foreigner.
though difficult its possible right? i really hope that you'll be able to provide a child with a loving home. good luck
Is it difficult even if your spouse is Japanese?
tell me the procedure._.
please:(
I don't know what the procedure is now.
That's really too bad and I hope that changes. It has been my dream to adopt a child and I was hoping for one from Japan, as I am half Japanese and would not let their cultural heritage fade away. I'm going to keep hoping and do some more research
nagai family you two are world class hero in my book i love you two
This breaks my heart... as a preschool teacher I would love to be able to be able to go there and work in one of these homes and help teach self help skills and just show them that they matter...
Love that big heart of yours Kelley, and you sound young enough and strong enough to do just about anything your heart feels it needs to do. I don't know if you personally have felt this sort of neglect, but that can be a great advantage I think. Those who've suffered neglect may find receptive hearts EVERYWHERE...LOVE seems to be a 4 letter word for some, but not all. I hope it will become "popular" to love our fellow man, woman, and child in ways that bless and nurture. Take good care of yourself. You are loved and loveable, and loving as you are God's reflection!
Never understood this parent's rights thing, never will. There is no excuse for child abuse. What I understand is that a child needs to be loved and guided by a responsible adult in a secure relationship., blood or no blood. Institutions can't provide that.
Some have never grown to be a responsible adults, I used to think abortion is a bad thing, but now I think having a child bring into this world with parents that can’t take care of them or want them or love them is worse than killing them before they are burned.
Sounds like you've never been a parent.
A picture of love that 70 year old couple.
I used to work in an orphanage, I always see the kids welfare being taken care of, and they are so happy even for a small things. when I go home for my two days off every time I step out of the gate my heart bleeds, and when I came back to work the children are running not to the candies I brought for them but the fact they missed me. but then I have to go, and it's the most painful but I worked it out some times I visit the kids and they still remember me. . by the way shout out to kadena base in Japan as one of our valued donors. .
It just breaks my heart to see all these babies and children in these conditions, and worse of all they become victims of abuse. I can't understand this kind of culture where these kids are considered as outcasts. This is so sad.
Treating them as outcasts is such a disgusting mentality.. especially because they had no choice in the matter!
They should be trained to serve the state as soldiers or government agents. Instead of making them leave the orphanage with nothing once they come of age why not give them a military education from a young age. Training them from a young age to be warriors. Who would be a more deadly soldier? Someone who grew up in a loving home or someone who has endured suffering from young, has to toughen up and has to fight for their survival. They could serve the country as soldeirs. Their loyalty would be absolute as their father and mother is their country literally. As Vesper said in casino Royale, orphans are more likely and less hesitant to give up their lives for queen and country.
@@achillesrodriguezxx3958 What an idiotic comment. Children don't need to train to be soldiers they need love, support, and guidance. Most of these kids are traumatised military training isn't going to help them. I also pretty sure it wasn't Vesper that said that but M.
I hope more open minded and modern loving Japanese people like the elderly couple to give these kids what a real family is.
This is truly one of the saddest videos I've seen on TH-cam. These poor innocent Japanese children. Japan's youth is such a vital part of it's aging society. I think the government maybe could contribute a bit more.
our we aloud to adopt? I would love to adopt
Erika First I stalked the comments enough to know that, that's a no. I'm assuming you're American. But this & the comments are a little bit older. So unless they changed w/ in just a couple of yrs, those kids are stuck.
I'm afraid that many of these children will develop detachment disorders and will have abandonment issues. I'm glad these stories are coming out so that they can get the help they need.
MTE.
Andreas C. Reactive attachment disorder
My husband has abandonment issues. He was taken from his bio fam due to abuse when he was 3. Adopted at 10 then given up again to being adopted for good at 12. It's sad.
Most of the world grew up abused and abandoned. But no one is without hope.
@@coralrain6332 you grow up with it and it never gets treated you just end up being different and you start realizing your life isnt like your friends or anyone you see and its depressing I was diagnosed but they didnt get me treatment
Man I would adopt one of these children in a heartbeat...they are beautiful. I just wish I had the means to.
15:00 "Daddy has lots of memories of me and Daddy gives me lots of memories too." So precious. So happy this little one was properly socialized/helped. Japan must meet their goal by 2025.
In the nature vs. nurture debate: it's both, but mostly nurture.
The Nagai couple, otosan and okasan, yes. Mother and Father to Japan's forgotten children. May God bless them.
No need to write it in japanese just for show off
I want to be with all of these children
Smile and laugh with them
Feed them and take care of them
Come feed me and look after me
How sad so sad these sweet sweet poor ABUSED NEGLECTED UNWANTED CHILDREN!! May God bless them and protect them and give them HAPPINESS and a loving FOREVER HOME!!💋💗💋💗😥😥
Evidently God doesnt help children or prevent deaths or accidents. Prayers dont feed empty bellies, or comfort... except they comfort the people who say them.
Adopt or send cash.
Jayne Bradley this have been proven time and time again.
Amen
Already low birth rate, still throw away children! So sad😭
This is heartbreaking and it's one of the reasons why Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged 20-44 in Japan. Japan does not have the highest rate of suicide in the world but that's far too high for such a wealthy country. Also, there are lone elderly suicide deaths that are not reported or under-reported because they are not fully investigated by Japanese police. So the suicide rate may be even higher. I am also tired of people calling the Japanese "the model race." It's not a perfect culture, it is not a better culture. It is only a culture with great beauty and terrible mental health issues that are swept under the rug too often. Japan has their issues just like any other culture.
Leopold III says:
"there are many nore countries with higher suicide, especially korea........."
==
Thanks for the info,
I didn't know that. so I searched.
www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-most-suicides-in-the-world.html
South Korea #2 at 28.9 (per 100,000 People)
Japan #17 at 18.5
Other notable countries,
India #11 at 21.1
Russia #14 at 19.5
Donato Ndong Bengobesam says:
"Plus, Japan who has a population of 123 millions with a suicide rate of 18.5 per 100,000 habitants... that's a high toll of human life lost
compared to Guyana."
==
Do you really understand the difference between the total number of suicide and number of suicide per population?
If a country has a big population, total suicide number would be bigger, if the population of the country is small, total number of suicide would be smaller even if the per population suicide is bigger.
Let's assume the population of Guyana is 1million as you brought up, that would make the total number of suicide to 440 a year(1230x18.5).
On the other hand, the total suicide number in Japan would be 22755 a year.
Neither make a dent in the total number of population.
Or are you saying people in Guyana stopped making babies?
Donato Ndong Bengobesam says:
"18.5 per 100,000 habitants... that's a high toll of human life lost compared "
==
Again the total number of suicide maybe bigger but the total population is far bigger.
Donato Ndong Bengobesam says:
"You are right (Your math reflects what I excatly ment)......"
==
where did that "extinction" come from?
Explain.
the weaboos
i can deal with these issues better than with other issues.
shocking in japan parents who abused their own kids still have the right to raised them? wow
being children in Japan is not fun at all
mintje solael the whole criminal and social justice system is insane. Something like a 97% conviction rate. Innocent ppl not allowed a lawyer forced to admit crimes. So corrupt.. just to not appear "soft on crime"
pink pajamas. You want believe what my father did to all 8kids
Probably abused and neglected because most if the time the parents will leave their kids alone to work
Can't understand how this is ok poor kids
Poor little girl
I hope her situation hasn't turned back to worse again and she that could go back to her foster parents
God bless them all 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
From age 10 to age 12, I used to volunteer at an orphanage in the Philippines. My cousin was a nun running the nursery and toddler section of the place. The kids were cared well, but they obviously needed a lot of hugs and attention, which was hard to dole out when there were about 35 kids and only 2 women caring for them round the clock. Whenever someone visits the place, they cling to the visitors’ legs and refuse to let go of them when its time for them to leave. It was really heartbreaking. At 13, I stayed for the whole school year in that place, as the orphanage had an in-house school, and the country was on chaos at that time, during the fall of the Marcos dictatorship. I lived alongside the older kids, whose ages ranged from 5 to 17 years of age. Some came from abusive homes, some came from really poor families where parents could not support them, some are the orphans who got left there as babies and were still waiting to get adopted. I built many friendships over that year from among those kids...and am still in touch with a few of them, even if its already 35 years since that time. I have seen their heartaches when a prospective adoption falls through and doesn’t happen...I have seen envy and longing in their eyes when adoptive parents pick out one of their own..i have seen kids acting out badly just because they crave love and attention. Some day, when my own child is big, I would like to go back and devote myself fully to caring for them. To help them grow into happy, secured individuals and help them carve a path in the world.
those poor kids, children deserve better
That's so sad he still wants to live with his abusive mother.
I really felt for him to. Anything to go back to what is so high esteemed but does not work. I don't think he even realizes that it is his mother that has left him there and not others who are doing this to him. I felt so sad when he said he more than anything would rather go back to his mother. It broke my 💓.
0 5 Ikr! so sad
0 5 Facts!! 😭
Ajie From a child’s perspective better a bad mum than no mum. Children in institutions must miss having a cuddle and the comfort of a mother. People that grow up without experiencing love often have trouble sustaining meaningful relationships because they do not know how to give or receive love or a reassuring cuddle. More should be done to help parents especially mums so that children don’t end up in institutions or foster care in the first place. Education is the key. It is a cycle, if you are not loved and valued then how can you love and value a child of your own ?
That is all he knew..
And sometimes the monster you know...
Is less scary than the one you dont know...
When I'm older. I'm going to adopt a TON of CHILDREN
They need to be loved, cared for, safe and happy.
God please blessed and protect the innocents 🙏🏻
God bless that sweet old couple 🙏 They are ANGELS 😇
God bless them
@@josephperetore2034, correct.
Aww I’m Japanese and living in Japan I have no problem taking a child in that’s not mine. I will love the child like it’s my own. It be a love at first site. My husband is Sri Lankan and we love children so much!!
You can take the child but wont be able to complete the adoption process.
Find out how and do that. Then encourage others to do it too.
@@ranjanbiswas3233 why?
Your husband is from Sri Lanka? This means he has dark skin. How did your parents accept that? What did your friends say?
@@Lion_Hamza skin color doesn’t matter to me and my family, its what’s inside that counts 😊 wouldn’t matter if his purple or green. 😂
My family is very accepting and humble people 🥰 they raised us kids to accept others no matter what background or cultures.
My family loves him and yes his 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan. My friends are also happy for us and they also love and adore him! Yay 😀
I grew up in foster care from age 7 to 17 in the US. It was terrible. It was no different than institutional care.
Hi I am considering becoming a foster carer in my country (UK); I'm interested in your experience - what made it terrible and how could it be better? Thanks
We were worked like slaves. We (my brother and I) moved refrigerators and stoves by hand when I was just nine. My foster parent owned apartments. I have chronic back issues. We dug ditches and sewer lines along with regular chores. We were constantly underfed. I was just there. No one touched or talked to me other than commands. It was constantly held over my head that I could be put into a dark orphanage where I would live the rest of my life. No one cared whether I lived or died. Medical care was withheld though the state would have paid. I didn’t own a toothbrush until I was 14. No one attended any school function including my 8th grade and high school graduations. I graduated with a 0.4 grade point average. I was not allowed to attend my award ceremony. So I could go on and on but I am sure you get the picture.
Oh I didn’t say how it could be better. If we had just been recognized as human beings. Someone to pat us on the head or say “well done”. We were never allowed to speak unless spoken to. Food. Just ordinary food.
Those little babies are so precious and cute. How can the people in that country NOT just take one look at them and not want to adopt them and love them forever?
Heartbreaking. Instead of raising the birthrate why don’t they encourage people to adopt?
Edit: I understand the problems in what I have stated, and now that I have read the comments I understand that this is a lot more deep-rooted than just ‘encouraging people to adopt’. People simply just don’t want children or can’t afford them.
Having children is a way for Japanese women to "lock down" Men. Many Japanese women prefer being at home b/c its either that or long work hours (often not officially counted).
You have such good ideas! I wondered if these homes might want to open up the home once a week for 1 hour where various regular citizens, adults with no history of abuse, could prepare and provide a good little mini session where the kids could come and learn whatever the volunteer "teacher" would share with the kids... For example the kids could learn a craft, a skill, something creative, or even something fun! That way the kids could constantly be exposed weekly to a variety of skills, arts, or whatever that they might want to explore... I always loved puppetry because it's a way to be silly, rough, or whatever under the guise of this puppet show. It's a good way to let off steam and laugh, and have fun working as a team. The kids could take donated stuffed animals to use as the puppets, and sew some sort of a glove, or sock on the back of it ,so the "puppet" can be manipulated. Then you can get the kids to brainstorm ideas for shows... and make a little wooden puppet "theatre" and away they go, entertainers!!! LOVED YOUR IDEA of merging the kids with older adults, who are confined or in nursing homes. Love has to be the most powerful thing in the world if we would only know it and share it with each other. Blessings and love from Texas,
Yes, I think the president should encourage couples to adopt waiting children..
And start programs to help with adopted children's college fees...
Because that is a huge future debt that sometimes stops people from adopting. Especially single adults...
But, I dont think couples should be pressured to adopt...
Nor should couples be chastised if they want to have a biological child that has characteristics and features of the spouse they fell in love with...
Because lets face it ladies..
When you think of marrying that man.. you dont dream of adopted babies...
You dream of biological babies with the man you love and find physically attractive.
To adopt or have biological babies is a personal choice....
And I much would rather a couple bring a child into their home in a way that would allow them to fully love that child unconditionally..
Because if they are pressured to adopt, but really want biological children.. They may take it out on them child..
People have to stop trying to force what they want to happen on others...
And then in the same breath, get the shits when someone tries to do the same to them...
We as humans have to learn to respect other people choices for their lives..
Because not everyone cares about your personal desire or cause..
Their are some people that are afraid to adopt due to sometimes adoption agencies do not disclose that the child has medical issues..
And not all people can handle taking on a special needs child weather it be mental or physical..
Like some of the babies left behind in Russian. That were born with mental issues due to alcoholic parents.. Issues that dont show up until later years..
Along with not knowing the medical history of the adopted child's parents...
Something you would know with your own biological child..
I plan to adopt...Along with having a natural biological child..
But that is MY! personal choice...
Adoption is a life changing decision that should not be entered into because someone is screaming about over population...
It should be done because you truly want to love and nurture your adopted child .
And help them to grown into the best happy healthy version of themselves...
And be successful at their personal dreams...
we as humans have to learn to live and let others live in peace..
And stop trying to shove their personal politics down other peoples throats...
@@terijune3307
I think it would help two groups of people.. that have been overlooked and thrown away.... that have plenty of love to give..
The senior persons, and orphaned children...
Seniors have so much wisdom to give... but no one to give it to.. Love and wisdoms, being wasted...
Creepy Crepsley There are a few problems with that, but the biggest are that adoption is a very difficult process, and the average person doesn’t have enough money to adopt.
Bless the Osaka couple, wow, these are the people that make us great.... Thank you
'Throwaway' and 'children' are two words which should never be put together 💔💔💔
5:25 I literally started crying when they got to this part. I cannot even fathom how on earth people could neglect their own BABIES. Just breaks my heart.
Every child deserves a LOVING home.
Wow that couple looks great and vital in their 70's. God bless their kind hearts.
Longer foster parenting has produced many nightmares and children with no sense of belonging. Adoption need to be more accepted and common in Japan and in America as well.
Adoption is common and accepted in America.
@@joez3706 thank you for responding. Yes, it is, but many couples only resort to adoption when they find themselves unable to have children, and many children of color and some white as well are never adopted. I could be wrong, but it seems the foster care system tries to make it difficult to adopt children in the system. I think perhaps gay couples may help in reducing the number of children with no permanent families.
@Kelly Johnson I could be wrong, but isn't it easier to adopt a child here in the US if you register yourself as a foster parent first?
@Kelly Johnson I had no idea about that. there must be loopholes though. My brother in law was adopted by a woman on welfare and a man who recently died from morbid obesity. Maybe it depends on what state you live in?
Why are children put to prision when their parents did wrong? Its a concept occuring everywhere in the world. Abused kids are systemically punished for the failures of their parents. While parents in most cases arent held accountable at all. Like it was punishment enough to take away the kids (hint its not its actually a relief to them- of course they would never say it). I dont get the logic behind that phenomenon.
*starts day dreaming of moving there and adopting all of them
Those children are so precious!!
I have no words to say. This is too sad. My heart is breaking 💔
I am a nurse and my husband an engineer married for 7years unable to conceive 😔what a dream to adopt one of these precious gifts......
A culture rooted in shame and keeping up appearances, unspoken class and bloodline system, non-existent mental health care - again rooted in shame, physical and mental abuse seen as private business between couples/family - so little support available.
I see lines of this in my own culture but not to the extent of the denial shown here. Bless those people who are trying to change this and help these wonderful children. I bet if these children were known about by the wider Japanese public and a good adoption system put in place, I'm sure there would be couples more than happy to adopt.
It's bizarre to know that Japan has a population problem, less children are being born than ever. Yet we have these children here, parents unable to care for them, and a system and culture that looks down on adopting children who aren't your own???
You have to wonder who the 56 people are who thumbs downed this...obviously not something people want to hear about. But here it is and thank you!
Hop Jump after seeing this, I couldn't help but think how disgraceful their system is. Those of us who come from loving homes should be thankful that we're not in they weren't "thrown away".
Hop Jump Foster families in America have problems with sexual abuse, drug use, and even murder. At least in an orphanage there is more than one pair of eyes watching. In a foster home, all of these problems can be hidden and the overworked child case worker often misses signs or neglects to check. I have met homeless young guy who came from an abusive foster family. Foster parents in America often do it for money. $1000 per kid per month. Unemployed people or people who need cash take the kids. That is not better than qualified staff in an orphanage. Japan won't export their kids, like China, ok.
Hop Jump Jesus Christ!!!!! No wonder Hideaki Anno's Evangelion was insulting and giving a double middle finger to the Japanese society. It has a lot of psychological and emotional issues.
plumeria66 Many of Japan’s orphanages are privately managed, including many operated by Catholic churches. Some private orphanages are treated like family businesses, with the director passing the position on to their son or daughter when they retire. In the 1990s a number of cases of sexual abuse in privately operated homes resulted in no action being taken because the perpetrator was the child of the director and heir apparent to the “business”. In one case, after an employee reported the sexual abuse of a twelve year old girl to the child welfare office, the director of the orphanage took a voluntary two month pay cut. This was considered an appropriate response and no criminal proceeding were pursued, nor was the perpetrator prevented from continuing to work in orphanages.
Couldn't like comment this more.
This is sad, I wish that more people saw adoption as a way to have a child besides having a biological child. If I ever wanted to have a child then I would adopt since I have always been repulsed by the idea of pregnancy and childbirth. And the fact that there are child in care after being abused by their bio family already shows that blood relation doesn't really mean anything.
Don't just adopt babies.
Kane Smith - Ahh...why not?!?!
me chloe Older kids need love too.
MagicEve im afraid this will happen here in the united states when birth control is not longer free.
My brother is adopted and honestly I would love him no more or less if he was my biological brother. If ever I have children I would adopt.
good for Japan their institutions work they're very functional society sad here in Mexico i've been seen children force to work with no parents alone and sad
This is so sad, especially looking at the babies, I wish the world will be a much better place for all the children, no children should be abandon...
that poor baby girl i hope the best for her..it is soo sad that they took her away from the only parents she knows..
Prob super confused
In Finland we might have a problem where the government is very easily taking kids away to institutions and foster families. The amount of kids taken away is increasing all the time. Personally I was moved around all the time, from institution to back to my mom , back to another institution and then to my dad and finally to different foster families... And in my experience the institutions that I was in was actually really nice and I had good time there. I liked the institutions way better than being in a foster family but maybe I was just unlucky. One reason though why this might be the case is that the foster families actually are payed a lot of money for fostering a child and that their interests might just be the money. We were also fed a lot less in the foster families compared to the institutions. We went on excursions and got more time to spend with the workers at the institutions. We got none of this with the foster families... The foster parents seemed to have no interest in us at all, they acted very much just like commanders in the army... But I can't say that this would be the case in all situations or all countries... This was just only what I experienced in Finland...
What happened that made them take you away in the first place? If I may ask, of course (no judgement, simply curious).
Asausa92 It's the exact same problem in Germany. The number of "Inobhutnahmen" (that's how the process of taking a child out of a family and give them into foster care is called here) has skyrocketed over the last years. So scary...
Thank you Asausa92 for sharing your experiences!
It's very valuable to know that professional childcare can be much better than a "family".
im so sorry, and wish i could be your friend and there for you. hugs!
Wow, it reminds me of a boy in boarding school that said he was way better there because his parents had a lot of emotional, matiral even economic issues and his boarding school was paid by a family trust and had great friends, activities, good teachers and caretakers. I was surprised as other children in another boarding school said they thought they would be better at home. Also I have seen good and nice orphanages with good people and bad homes and ignorant or abusive foster parents and the other way around. So We cannot judge without knowing the specific case.
What a sad state of affairs! May God shower His grace and mercy upon these children. 🙏😢
the part with the old foster care couple made my eyes water. it was so wholesome seing them giving these children family.
so much sadness in the world
it's hard for me to understand why someone would have a hard time or wouldnt consider adopting a child. I want children so badly and I look forward to starting the adoption process for special needs kids.
HatingOnHomework 98 That's strange. Children in my country mostly want kids themselves.
LillyPilly rs if you adopt internationally. If you do foster to adopt believe most of the costs will be covered and you'll only be out a few grand. Which is less than the hospital costs of having a baby.
Sam I Am it costs 10000$ people cant afford that
+LillyPilly rs fund raising is a thing and how much do you think it costs to do fertility meds? for one round of ivf it's 15,000.
Sam I Am and thats exacly why people wont adopt.
I would give any worldly possession ,I have, to be able to adopt a baby. This makes my heart ache.
How sad to look at those poor children been thrown away by their parents. They are very precious children and needs to be looked after very well and to give them love and hugs. I wish I can have them all.
I feel that at least the government is trying, unlike other countries where you get children raising children. And their facilities are not nearly as bad as most orphanages.
Children want love.. give them love...kisses, hugs..
+Mahbubur Rahman yes sir
+Mahbubur Rahman what?
in most asian countries parents dont openly show affection to their kids. Its just not how its done. I wonder sometimes if they realize how impactful this really is on the children.
+vianjelos Agree it makes a big difference in how much self esteem they have as adults..
Saadia ahmad I agree. I'm Asian and grew up in a family that don't show affection. I did get hugs from my grandparents but that was it. As an adult, I do find it uncomfortable when hugged by friends because I'm not used to it.
thank you for this documentary.
Love and someone to call mom and dad was all they needed. The two guys who survived this long without offing themselves have so much heart.
While culture plays a significant role in this issue, keep in mind that the current economic structure plays a huge role as well. Many couples would be more than willing to try fostering or adoption... if they weren't being worked half to death.
good point
someone do something! Just because they are biological parents doesn't mean they can take better care of their children.
Godiscompassion
If we can get Japan to adopt these children outside their Country, that is the best scenario. All God's children...
I will take every single one of them
me too, let's raise them together
シMoyo Bozuシ I'm down
96NightRider96 LETS GOOO
TheBhaiSaab WOOO
the sad truth is because most of the parents still have their rights to their children(and there is no way for the rights to be taken way, unless they do it willingly) So most are legally unadopable.
10:53 No one gonna mention how beautiful his voice is?
This is absolutely heartbreaking. My heart goes out to them.
foster kids have it as bad or worse; at 18 when the foster family no longer gets money, lots of kids are tossed out. The institution just needs to be improved with better programs for the children. The Nagai couple are truly wonderful.
Wow that is so super sad!!! All of these children deserve loving homes and parents. How could these parents be such crimminals???!!!
Thank you sweety to share your story. Thank God you see the light of the tunnel. You still young and you have more blessed years to come. No matter what come to your patch. Don't forget you are a strong lady. Life has it ups and downs. But what you been through will makes you even stronger. Keep loving your adoptive mom. I'm sending you a strong hug.
My heart breaks for the little girl 💔💔