Mother of murdered girl in Chiba says 'sorry to Yuki'

Wednesday 22nd October, 11:19 AM JST

CHIBA —

The mother of a 5-year-old girl who was found naked and dead on a street in Togane City, Chiba Prefecture, on Sept 22, told TV Asahi Tuesday night that it was her carelessness that caused her daughter’s death.

“Remembering Yuki’s face makes me so emotional,” said Taeoko Narita whose daughter Yukimaro was killed. “I must say sorry to Yuki because it was due to my carelessness that she was killed. I should have watched her.”

On Wednesday, police said a plastic bag, which is relatively new and contained Yukimaro’s clothes, was one used at a stationery shop inside a supermarket. Police said the killer might have bought something at the shop and used the bag to pack the girl’s clothes.

Latest 15 of 16 Total Comments Show All

Disillusioned at 11:52 AM JST - 22nd October

This is so sad! It's also frightening and disappointing the monster responsible is still unidentified. I hope all Japanese parents learn a lesson from this and start to take better care of their kids. Japan is not the safe and calm country people pretend it is. There are too many sick bastards running around to leave your kids alone. Apathy and over-confidence can and will kill your kids.
kawabunga at 12:11 PM JST - 22nd October

Truly heartbreaking. This mom will have to live with this forever. I still don't understand how parents in Japan can just let their little kids roam the streets or parks unattended---or leave them in parked cars while they shop!! From my point of view this thinking is insane. For Japanese, it is normal. Why?? Why can they not open their eyes and notice the danger that is all around??
BBLeo at 12:17 PM JST - 22nd October

Sure it is heartbreaking for this mother. I certainly hope that parents in Japan, perhaps even around the world are learning how to look after their children. Children are important, and parents should keep eye on them, if they can't than should turn to relatives or friends for help. It is sweet to have children, but responsibility is colossal from the day theyare born.
Nessie at 03:51 PM JST - 22nd October

. “I must say sorry to Yuki because it was due to my carelessness that she was killed. I should have watched her.”

But you can't, because she's dead. No takebacks.
Molenir at 06:47 PM JST - 22nd October

There is no way in the world this woman is to blame. The blame rests solely on the shoulders of the monster who murdered her. Perhaps she didn't pay as close attention as she should have. Certainly not as much as she wishes she had. But when it comes right down to it, she didn't strangle her daughter, a monster did.
KaptainKichigai at 08:24 PM JST - 22nd October

Lets hope her meassage reaches mothers everywhere. Its your job, role, obligation to put your children first. Know where they are, who they are with. Care. Involve yourself in their everything. Dont give the "monsters" a chance. You are the gatekeepers.
letstalk at 08:36 PM JST - 22nd October

I agree with you 100% KaptainKichigai. Parents (especially mothers) should get involve when it comes to their children.
Eizenhauer at 12:53 AM JST - 23rd October

Unfortunately not the only one, seen too many horrible moms around who don't keep their eye on their children...
KitsuneYoukai at 01:51 AM JST - 23rd October

Perhaps there no "take backs" but she can still say and show that she is sorry. That she acknowledges some blame is good.
bushlover at 07:34 AM JST - 23rd October

I hope they catch this MF. I also hope that mothers everywhere will learn from this but I'm not holding my breath. They are not very good at the learning process here.
noirgaijin at 07:35 AM JST - 23rd October

An absolute rarity in this country. A parent acknowledging an ill responsible act on her part. In most cases it would be a demand from the parent on why the police or society allows this to happen and not accept blame. Hat's off to the mother and of course condolences.
Osakadaz at 12:58 PM JST - 23rd October

DNA testing at birth would solve a lot of these unsolved crimes,but that is a civil liberty too far for most.
Scrote at 05:59 PM JST - 23rd October

I arrived back at Narita airport in Chiba on Monday. The underground concourse where you buy the train tickets had half a dozen or so police there, milling around idly.

One of them asked to see my passport. I pointed out that I had just shown it at immigration and customs. Also, anyone entering the airport has their passport checked, so what was the point? He just said "anzen no tame".

So there is an example of Chiba police in action: 6 guys standing around at the airport doing nothing when there is an unsolved murder they should be attending to.
ptolemy at 08:11 PM JST - 23rd October

Sorry but what good does saying sorry help. It will not bring back this poor girl. Mommy should have been more attentive and been a mother off the go. Once someone does there is no do over. Its final, game over, the end. Reala life is not a video game, real people die. It's not a movie, good people do have suffering and bad things happen to them. Most people in Japan do not realize this, as in the rest of the world, we and ours are invinsible until that time when...

Must agree Scrote, when the police stop checking bike riders for registration, ATM duty, train station parking day, and do real police work perhaps Lindsay Hawkers killer, this perv, and all the other assorted freaks wanted and escaping justice due to police laziness will be caught and placed behind bars awaiting their turn beofre the bench, and perhaps their suspended sentences.

Need help from police in Japan, ride a bicycle or go to the ATM and yell help.
smithinjapan at 10:54 AM JST - 24th October

While I feel terrible for the mother, her behaviour is unforgiveable and should not be forgiven in the least. Saying, "She has suffered enough" may be fine and true, but the fact of the matter of a certain little girl's life being snuffed out remains. Find the killer and charge him/her to the fullest extent of the law, but this woman also deserves to serve some time or at least be sentenced for neglect resulting in death. Poor little girl.