TOKYO, May 20 (News On Japan) – A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture, for allegedly injuring his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter by placing her inside a washing machine and turning it on.
Hideaki Masui is accused of putting the young girl in the washing machine at his home, causing injuries. The incident came to light when the girl’s mother noticed something was wrong and called the police.
Although the extent of the girl’s injuries is not yet clear, authorities reported that she was conscious and able to speak when she was taken to the hospital. Masui has denied the allegations during police questioning. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances that led to the girl being placed in the washing machine.
This incident highlights the serious issue of child abuse in Japan. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there were 80,708 reported cases of child abuse in Japan in 2021, a significant increase from the 59,236 cases reported in 2015.
The Japanese government has taken several measures to address this issue, including strengthening the child welfare system, providing support for victims and their families, and implementing stricter penalties for child abusers. However, more needs to be done to prevent child abuse and protect the most vulnerable members of society.