A bill to revise the Prefectural Abuse Prohibition Ordinance has been proposed to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly, which prohibits leaving children alone or leaving them at home, as it constitutes “neglect” and abuse. The Liberal Democratic Party’s prefectural assembly group, which submitted the proposal, cited examples of children being left behind in cars and falling accidents, and argued that they would “promote a change in mindset that abandoning children is abuse.” Meanwhile, some residents of the prefecture voiced their protests, saying, “Are we asking parents to quit their jobs?” (Daiki Iizuka)
◆If you find something left unattended, prefectural residents are required to report it.
The amendment bill was discussed at a committee meeting on the 6th, and passed with support from members of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party. It will be voted on at the plenary session on the 13th.
The proposed amendment would prohibit parents and guardians from leaving their children in the third year of elementary school or younger at home. During the Q&A session during the plenary session on the 4th, the Liberal Democratic Party explained that it is a violation to let children play in the park alone, walk them to and from school by themselves, or leave them with high school siblings when they go out. Elementary school students in grades 4 to 6 will also be required to make efforts, and prefectural residents will be required to report children who are being neglected.
The Liberal Democratic Party cited the dangers of heat stroke, fire, and kidnapping, and stated that even if the situation is short-lived, it should be left alone unless there is “a situation where there is no danger to life or body, and a caregiver can quickly come to the rescue,” and the provision of penalties. Although there is no such thing as abuse, he emphasized, “This is a philosophical ordinance to promote a change in awareness that neglect is abuse.”
◆“I agree with the philosophy, but”…What about single parents and dual income earners?
The revised policy was also explained to the Parliamentary Steering Committee in September, but members of other factions said, “I thought it was a measure to prevent children from leaving their children in cars.” At the explanation on the 4th, some people expressed surprise, saying, “I didn’t realize that the scope of the ban was so wide.” Some within the party have expressed concern, saying, “We support the idea, but it will put hard-working single parents and people with dual incomes into a corner.It might make people say, “I don’t want to raise children in Saitama Prefecture.””
The proposed amendment calls for the prefecture to set up nursery schools and after-school childcare facilities to prevent children from being left unattended, but last year there were 1,554 elementary school children on waiting lists. Prefectural executives are also saying, “It will be difficult to resolve the issue by the effective date (April 1, 2024),” and “It will be difficult to comply with the ordinance, and even our ideals may not be upheld.”
◆Parent: “Are you telling me to quit my job?”
Parents in the prefecture who learned about the proposed amendment began a signature campaign on the 6th in an effort to prevent its passage. Internet signature siteChange.org” will collect signatures requesting that the amendment not be passed, and will submit it to the Liberal Democratic Party’s prefectural assembly group on the 12th, the day before the main meeting.
The founder, Koko Kuroyama (Koko), of Higashimatsuyama City, expressed her anxiety, saying, “They will be monitored because of reporting requirements, and they won’t be able to let their children play outside.Are they going to tell parents to stop working?” “If there are multiple children in a household, it is impossible to always watch over them without as many adults as there are children.Even if you ask someone else to watch over them, it is much scarier to leave them in the care of someone else.Why are they not listening to the voices of the prefecture’s citizens at all?” Are you trying to make a decision?” he questioned.
2023-10-06 12:55:50
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