A hospital in Tokyo has made history by becoming the first in the city to offer a special system where parents can safely and anonymously leave their newborns if they can’t take care of them. This new service, called a baby box or baby hatch, is run by the Christian group Sanikukai and is designed to stop child abandonment and abuse, a problem that has been tackled worldwide for centuries.
The baby box at Sanikukai Hospital is a small basket in a quiet room with a private entrance, available 24 hours a day. Hitoshi Kato, the hospital’s leader, explained at a news event that this is an “emergency last option” to save babies’ lives. He pointed out that some parents still have no place to turn, leaving infants in dangerous spots like luggage lockers, parks, or beaches. The hospital’s statement highlighted the urgent need to help these vulnerable mothers and babies.
This isn’t new to Japan, but it’s big news for Tokyo. Sanikukai is only the second hospital in the country to start this service, following Jikei Hospital in Kumamoto Prefecture, which began its baby hatch in 2007. At Jikei, records show that 179 babies and toddlers have been left there since it opened, showing how many families need this help.
Here’s how it works at Sanikukai: when a baby is placed in the basket, a sensor immediately tells hospital staff, who rush to check on the child. After making sure the baby is safe, the hospital teams up with officials to find the best next step, like foster care or a children’s home. If the person who left the baby stays nearby, staff will try to talk to them and offer support, said Hiroshi Oe, the project leader.
On the same day, Sanikukai also started a “confidential birth” program, similar to one at Jikei. This lets pregnant women, especially those who feel alone or scared, give birth at the hospital without sharing much personal information. The goal is to prevent dangerous home births and protect both mothers and babies.
Not everyone likes the idea of baby boxes, though. Some people worry it might stop children from ever knowing their real parents. Others, including some anti-abortion groups, say it’s too easy a solution and that more help, like better medical care or money support, should be available instead. But for now, this move in Tokyo is a big step toward safety for abandoned infants.
For readers around the world interested in Japan, this shows how the country is tackling tough social issues with both tradition and innovation. Stay tuned to our site for more updates on how this program develops and what it means for families in Japan and beyond.
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