17 babies left so far at Kumamoto baby hatch since it opened last May

Wednesday 21st May, 09:30 AM JST

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dany505 at 12:12 PM JST - 21st May

I don't understand. Is this a place people can drop off unwanted children?
tnstaafl at 12:33 PM JST - 21st May

Yes, most likely from mothers or/and fathers that might have been to young or to inexperienced or just think they can't or don't want to take care of a infant. As hard hearted as it may seem to some folk, its much better then finding one in a dumpster or garbage can in the cold and weather, or left in a hotel room. At least they will be cared for and even the possibility of finding families that want and can care for them.
smithinjapan at 12:57 PM JST - 21st May

Well, that's 17 babies still living, and whom will hopefully get a family that both deserves them and will treat them well. I'm sorry that people feel the need to abandon an infant, but I would far rather see this kind of system where they can leave the baby safely and it can receieve care, as opposed to simply dropping it in a dumpster or public bathroom to die.
rjdsr at 12:59 PM JST - 21st May

It's good to see that Japan values life. Can you imagine this happening in America, where unwanted children are simply flushed down toilets?
Molenir at 01:18 PM JST - 21st May

Actually, while that kind of thing happens everywhere. Normally in America, people have the kids, then give em up for adoption. That happens much, much more frequently. Very little social stigma involved in it either. Far better then in Japan where adopting a child is somehow considered shameful.
cleo at 01:22 PM JST - 21st May

Can you imagine this happening in America, where unwanted children are simply flushed down toilets?

Yes.

http://babysafela.org/
rjdsr at 01:31 PM JST - 21st May

Far better then in Japan where adopting a child is somehow considered shameful.

You are not in any position to say that something is "better" than Japan. I don't think there's any room for racism on this website.
smithinjapan at 04:03 PM JST - 21st May

rjdsr:

"It's good to see that Japan values life. Can you imagine this happening in America, where unwanted children are simply flushed down toilets?"

and then:

"You are not in any position to say that something is "better" than Japan. I don't think there's any room for racism on this website."

on a comment directly related to his posting.... geez, rj... think you could call the kettle a little less black?

As was stated by the person you so radically replied to (in reply to your 'imagine this in the US!' comment), there is far less stigma in giving up a child in the US (and many other countries) than exists in Japan. Hell, if you need proof, just look at all the controversy about even CREATING the baby hatch in the first place! The reason the baby hatch is needed here, and is a GREAT thing to have as a fall back for people who just feel like they can't raise the child, is because it's a known fact the child has a very likely chance otherwise of being found dead. It has nothing to do with racism, and everything to do with traditional morays and difficulties in overcoming them when faced with the fact that there are irresponsible people who are going to give up their babies in one way or another.
thepossum at 04:26 PM JST - 21st May

The last few months here in Japan have shown how low the nation has gotten. Seemed hardly a weekend didn't go by that some newborn wasn't being killed, or yes, flushed down a toilet ! 17 unwanteds left at this baby hatch is unforgiveable ! arguing that "gee at least they didn't get murdered by a parent" is sickening ! What the hell has happened to this nation ? Has the loss of their material possessions and financial worth so easily created the monsters we see here every Monday morning ? How pathetic ! I am truly ashamed to admit to anyone back home that I live here ! And no... the problem isn't me ! My newborn is a prescious gift and I'll not have her raised among the heathens and cold hearted individuals I see on a daily basis here in Japan. Horrible ! Absolutely horrible !
cleo at 04:43 PM JST - 21st May

thepossum -

In any country, I'd rather an 'unwanted' baby be left at a baby hatch or anonymously at a hospital than have it left wrapped in a rubbish bag in a coin locker or flushed down a toilet.

I am truly ashamed to admit to anyone back home that I live here !

No need to do anything you're ashamed of, 3x.
cleo at 05:06 PM JST - 21st May

thepossum -

There are no 'stones to hoist' on this thread; 17 babies were given a chance to live and be loved. I think that's a good thing, but apparently it's something those of you who like to cheap pots shots at Japan simply cannot stomach.
thepossum at 05:17 PM JST - 21st May

17 babies should be at home with the parents that brought them into this world. Creating an "option out" program sends the wrong message about the responsibilities of becoming a parent. What is now a trickle will become a full scale torrent in no time, mark my words ! All this while Japan's birthing population continues to dwindle. The government should shut this down and focus on making child rearing "affordable" ! There in lies the real problem Cleo ! Japan has lost it's wealth and its common sense along with it ! I guarantee if you talked to the people that have dumped their kids in this baby hatch they will tell you that they simply couldn't "afford" the financial burden of raising a kid. I for one am accepting the challenge Cleo ! And I love every minute of it. Out the door when its dark, home exhausted, after dark ! Bushed to the bones... but I'll do it again tomorrow ! And the next day ! As a parent yourself, you know where I'm coming from ! You find the energy, you do what you need to do. But dumping the little tyke in a shoot and walking away is "not" an option !
Zen_Builder at 05:20 PM JST - 21st May

Funnily enough those baby-hatches haven't create those problems in the other countries where they are used and have become a success.
Zen_Builder at 05:21 PM JST - 21st May

Wiki entry for baby-hatch - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_hatch
cleo at 06:31 PM JST - 21st May

17 babies should be at home with the parents that brought them into this world.

'At home' with people who, for whatever reason, have decided they can't/won't care for the child? Having a young mother snap under the pressure and put a pillow over the child's face is preferable to having the child placed in a loving home? Having her mixing up the detergents in an attempt at muri-shinju because her family have thrown her out is preferable to letting the child have a shot at the three-score years and ten he's entitled to?

I will agree with you that a lot can and should be done to make child-raising easier and more affordable. But that isn't going to happen overnight (isn't going to happen at all under the LDP) and while I'll happily join you in hoisting stones at the government, in the meantime I'm happy that 17 babies are safe and well.

Your little tyke is very lucky to have a loving parent ready, able and willing to make the effort for her. Why begrudge less fortunate little tykes a chance of happiness?