Japan Finds 47 Cases of Abuse of "Second-Generation Followers"

Tokyo, April 26 (Jiji Press)--There were 47 child abuse cases apparently reflecting parents' religious beliefs in Japan between April 2022 and September 2023, a Children and Families Agency survey showed Friday.

The suspected abuse cases were found by child consultation centers across the country, with victims temporarily taken into protective custody in 19 of the total cases, while some of the victims, often called "second-generation followers," sought support for their self-reliance or advance to the next level of education.

The agency plans to consider necessary measures based on the results of the survey, which also covered medical institutions with critical care centers and municipal governments as well as elementary, and junior and senior high schools.

Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co. conducted the survey on behalf of the agency using subsidies.

Of 232 child consultation centers across the country, 229 gave answers. Among the respondents, 37 facilities, or 16.2 pct, said that they detected child abuse cases believed to have been caused mainly by parents' religious beliefs.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]