AICHIMay 25 (News about Japan) – An independent support facility in Aichi Prefecture, where several staff members have been arrested, is in the spotlight for its unusual methods of dealing with problem children.
Shuichi Yoshikawa, 61, was arrested on May 23 on suspicion of complicity in a violation of the Firearms and Swords Law, along with his daughter, Yuki Himuro, 38.
Yoshikawa is suspected of giving a 12-year-old boy, who was living at the “Ikijuku” independent support facility, into his possession the more than one-meter-long shotgun in January this year, along with Yuki.
Not only was the boy allowed to hold the weapon, but he also fired it from a boat off the coast of Tokoname City. Yuki, who was present, did not stop him and even fired the gun himself.
It is believed that Yuki’s husband, Yu Himuro, 46, the representative of “Ikijuku”, filmed the incident.
Yu Himuro was arrested on May 13 on suspicion of employing an 11-year-old Ikijuku resident at his own construction company, Himuro Construction, by having the child operate a hydraulic excavator.
This boarding school, which supports the independence of children with problems such as truancy, accommodates approximately 20 minors and became operational around 2018.
A person familiar with the facility noted: ‘There is a lot of freedom in terms of wake-up and sleep times, with about 4 people in a room. Kids can be on their phones all day.”
According to the website, the initial cost to participate in Ikijuku is more than 350,000 yen.
An affiliate from Ikijuku: ‘There were cases where smoking and drinking were allowed. Staff members were seen buying cigarettes for the children.”
There were unusual circumstances involving residents smoking and drinking alcohol.
Following the recent incident, about 20 children in Ikijuku were transferred to a children’s counseling center on May 23. With the exception of the boy who fired the gun, all have since returned to the facility.
Source: NEWS
