1-year-old boy falls to death from 5th-story Tokyo apartment

Thursday 04th June, 08:36 AM JST

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jonnyboy at 07:24 PM JST - 4th June

Not in Japan, most people avoid neighbors, and live their own separate lives.

that's not true. plenty of people have intimate relationships with their neighbours. but that's also the problem; entering into a "friendship" in japan is like signing a social contract with a lot of obligations and expectations. that's fine for a family living in the countryside, surrounded by the same neighbours for generations (the whole practice is medieval in origin...) but for those living in the city it's frankly not worth the effort and investment to establish relationships with their neighbours

sad, really. but that's what you get when you prioritise preserving traditions at all costs over allowing society mores to move with the times
polarmalik at 08:21 PM JST - 4th June

The mother should have not left the 1 year old and his sisters alone in the apartment. What a horrific way to die - poor little Japanese boy. Farakh Malik
flammenwerfer at 08:26 PM JST - 4th June

chalk up another one: Appalling parenting resulting in a childs death. (shakes head)
usaexpat at 11:27 PM JST - 4th June

We used to have a 3 LDK on the 7th floor with a wrap around balcony. We lived there until my son was 1 and a half. That balcony scared the hell out of me even though the rail was solid concrete. He would climb up on chairs and such which would mean falling over the edge wouldn't be a strctch. We moved to my wife's grandmother's house when she passed away. 1 story no access by car and I sleep much better at night. A tragic story to be sure may this boy rest in peace and his parents find a way to get through this tragedy.
mmwk2008 at 12:56 AM JST - 5th June

For those with kids, passing judgement upon this event is very difficult if not impossible. All that can be offered is Complete & utter Sympathy. If you're fortunate enough to be able to afford to have a wife/husband who can stay at home to look after the kids whilst the other works, then you should understand why they are so exhausted at the end of the day upon your return.... Give it a go yourself.
beavis at 02:12 AM JST - 5th June

@kirakira25

They think I am paranoid. I think theya re reckless. We are never going to see eye to eye on this one.

I have an almost identical situation and I'll never give in. It only takes one second for something to happen that could effect the entire family forever. Let them suppose you are paranoid. Its much better than you having to verify their recklessness through a tragic accident.
IfeelImust at 03:33 PM JST - 5th June

No parental supervision = home alone! Parents you have to live with this for the rest of your lives. I feel sorry for you. Rip little one.
amerijap at 07:50 AM JST - 6th June

There was a railing in front of an open window, but a desk had been placed nearby.

How big was a desk, and why was a 12 month-old baby staying right close to an open window leading to a patio on the 5th floor?
kjcar11 at 05:55 PM JST - 6th June

I don't know why so many commenters are mentioning a veranda or balcony, when none was stated in the article. In my "mansion", the bedroom windows open to a 10-story drop. There are just two flimsy little aluminum rails at the bottom of the window, but those couldn't stop a person from falling out. It's very easy for me to imagine a kid climbing (or in this case being helped by older siblings) onto a desk in the room and going out the window.

That being said, there's absolutely no excuse for having the desk there in the first place. I used to have my bed under the window, but as soon as my child hit the climbing toddler phase, I moved the bed so there would no longer be easy access to the window. Now that he's older, the bed can go back to its original place.
amerijap at 01:30 AM JST - 7th June

Ah, I'm not sure the rails are sturdy or not, but I suspect there's probably not enough space in the patio to keep a baby from falling off from an entire apartment. In this case, his siblings are not helpful because they are also toddlers. Anyway, the small kids-- especially babies and toddlers-- need an assistance from an adult, when you see them climbing up or standing on a desk or a tables, to keep them from getting injured by falling off on the floor.
amerijap at 01:33 AM JST - 7th June

I mean 'a table.' My bad.
konoi at 05:34 PM JST - 7th June

@Blackops: Hooray, hooray - Self Appreciation!

You are generalizing in an inappropiate way. How many "japanese" parents do you know? I would say zero. You rant about how great it is in some sandbox island in the middle of nowhere and how nice and strict you like it there. Howcome anglos like you are so filled with resentment towards the country you live in? Japanese parent are no worse (or better) than the fine examples of OZ...
womanforwomen at 06:06 PM JST - 7th June

Accidents such as these happen all over the world. But it happens more often here. Everyone who is living here in this country is expressing their feelings and there is nothing wrong with that. why do you scream westerners and easterners? Why do you segregate yourselves from the others? Many who are sitting in front of the computer and saying these things, I am sure say it to the people to their face.It makes the Jpeople aware of the problem that they simply do not notice in their rush to meet life's obligations. I must admit that many consider their children as an accessory and frankly, I've heard it being said. If you did not say it then good, but take into consideration that there are others who do not think like you do.
parforthecourse at 07:42 PM JST - 9th June

This should be listed in the crime section and the parent that left them should be shot. Or, at least go to jail until they get shot by someone on the inside who hates these selfish, negligent parents as much as I do.

No excuse.
parforthecourse at 07:45 PM JST - 9th June

mmwk2008 at 12:56 AM JST - 5th June "For those with kids, passing judgement upon this event is very difficult if not impossible. All that can be offered is Complete & utter Sympathy. If you're fortunate enough to be able to afford to have a wife/husband who can stay at home to look after the kids whilst the other works, then you should understand why they are so exhausted at the end of the day upon your return.... Give it a go yourself."

Weak and feeble excuse for being lazy and negligent. Grow up. You are a parent, act like one and do your duty and responsibility to protect the innocent kids.