The National Police Agency says 106,991 minors under 18 were referred to child consultation centers in Japan last year as suspected victims of abuse. That's an increase of 8,769 from the previous year.

Mental abuse such as verbal harassment and displays of parents' violent behavior accounted for 73 percent of these cases.

Police uncovered 2,133 cases of child abuse last year and say 2,172 children were victimized. Both figures are record highs. A total of 61 children died.

Police say cases of abuse may be going unnoticed as more people are staying home due to the coronavirus pandemic and warning signs are being missed.

They plan to step up cooperation with child consultation centers and schools to detect early signs of mistreatment.

Offspring of religious group followers organize to seek relief

Offspring of religious group followers in Japan, who claim to have suffered due to the compulsion of the groups' teachings, have set up a body to raise awareness about their plight.The religious groups include the former Unification Church.

Ohtani to both hit and pitch for Team Japan at World Baseball Classic

Major league superstar Ohtani Shohei will make full use of his two-way talents on Team Japan in next year's World Baseball Classic, as his manager has said he will pick him both as a pitcher and a batter.The Los Angeles Angel announced his intention to play in the tournament last month, and said he...more

Japan's education ministry revises guidelines, encouraging school rules reviews

For the first time in 12 years, Japan's education ministry has revised its guidelines for teachers on how to instruct students about their behavior. The guidelines call for schools to review their rules frequently to prevent excessively strict guidance.The ministry released the guidelines on...more

Lower House committee agrees on vote on bill to help victims of religious group

Committee members of Japan's Lower House have agreed on a vote of a revised draft of a bill aimed at helping people who have suffered damage from the actions of the former Unification Church.The vote is scheduled for Thursday. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is to attend the session ahead of the...more

Japan's aging infrastructure in dire need of repair

Japan faces a rising tide of aging infrastructure that cannot be repaired due to tight budgets and worker shortages.Local authorities are required to inspect bridges and tunnels every five years, following a fatal tunnel collapse a decade ago. The accident in the Chuo Expressway's Sasago Tunnel in...more

MLB pitcher Darvish to play for Japan in World Baseball Classic

Darvish Yu of the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball says he will play for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic next year.The Japanese pitcher made the announcement in his Twitter account on Tuesday.

Musician Sakamoto Ryuichi releases message ahead of online concert

Prominent Japanese musician Sakamoto Ryuichi, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, has published a video message ahead of the online streaming of his piano performances he recorded this autumn.The message released on Wednesday shows Sakamoto sitting by the piano.

Japan's government announces final plan to reform Science Council

The government has announced its final plan to reform the Science Council of Japan, the country's leading academic body.Economic Revitalization Minister Goto Shigeyuki, who is in charge of the matter, made the announcement at a news conference on Tuesday.

Japanese lawmakers debate bill on religious donations

Japanese lawmakers have started debating a bill that would regulate donations to religious entities. They include the group formerly known as the Unification Church.The legislation would ban religious groups from soliciting donations in an unscrupulous manner. Opposition lawmakers want to revise...more

People with intellectual disabilities abused at facility in northern Japan

Staff members at a care facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Hokkaido, northern Japan, were found to have repeatedly abused residents between May and June this year.The operator of the facility in Nishiokoppe Village disclosed the abuse on Tuesday.