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Newborn boy left in front of orphanage with money and 'Onegaishimasu' letter

54 Comments

Police in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, said Tuesday that a newborn baby boy was left abandoned at the entrance to an orphanage early Monday morning.

According to police, the infant was found by a small group of children who live at the orphanage, TV Asahi reported. Weighing only 2,860 grams, the infant still had his umbilical cord attached and was wrapped in a jacket and small blanket, orphanage officials said.

Attached to the jacket was an envelope with a letter reading simply, "Onegaishimasu" (Please help) in katakana, along with 10,000 yen. The child was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition, police said.

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54 Comments
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sounds like a mexican drama...

-26 ( +4 / -30 )

Perfect example of how to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. I hope a lot of people learn from this selfless act.

18 ( +22 / -4 )

At least the mother didn't leave the baby to die.

30 ( +32 / -2 )

I'll take him.

26 ( +26 / -0 )

I appreciate the mother or whomever left the boy. They did not mistreat him .. it is a great thing. The parents who does not need their new borns should follow something like this..

There are lot of couples who are looking to adopt a kid.......and the same time we here lot of child abuse cases around...

13 ( +13 / -0 )

At least money was left also.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Leaving your child is never OK, but it is good that i don't have to read another horror story about a found dead baby.

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

I hope there could be a more direct way to adoption, so that parents who give their kids don't feel stigmatized or burdened. Adoption is much better feticide or abortion. People should not run away.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

The sheer number of these stories coming out of Japan is a tad frightening...

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Pathetic. When are Japanese people gonna grow up and learn to deal with "embarrassment" in a somewhat adult manner. Or is that too much to ask? You don't drop off a newborn just like that, hoping for the best. If it's an unwanted pregnancy, you bite the damn bullet and make sure this newborn person is taken care of in the best possible manner.

-24 ( +6 / -30 )

But why in Katakana?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Despite all the negative comments this is good news. At least this kid has a chance at a life instead of being dumped in a trash can in train station toilet or dumped in a bicycle basket or killed and stuffed in a suitcase and hidden in a closet.

17 ( +18 / -1 )

Pathetic. When are Japanese people gonna grow up and learn to deal with "embarrassment" in a somewhat adult manner. Or is that too much to ask? You don't drop off a newborn just like that, hoping for the best. If it's an unwanted pregnancy, you bite the damn bullet and make sure this newborn person is taken care of in the best possible manner.

Unfortunately, some people are unable to properly take care of themselves, let alone raise a child. Had the mother kept the baby, perhaps she would have found a way to raise it properly, or perhaps not. The option she chose may not have been the right one, but it was better than throwing the baby in a dumpster, or drowning it in a toilet. God knows we hear such stories every week here.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

My dream is that someone leave a baby in my doorstep sometime soon!!!

12 ( +15 / -3 )

In_japanDEC. 10, 2013 - 12:04PM JST But why in Katakana?

Hmmm. Trying to imply is a foreigner dropping off the baby?

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

it is....

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Unfortunately, some people are unable to properly take care of themselves, let alone raise a child.

Clearly.

There are better ways to deal with this situation than to drop off your newborn on the staira to an orphanage like a suitcase. As I said, there are ways to deal with it. Fessing up might be a first, good step toward being a responsible person. You are pregnant and you know you're not gonna be handle it, fine, seek help. I know in this stigma-filled place, everything that doesn't go according to plans is hazukashii and yada but what is wrong with taking responsibility?

The argument that this is good news 'cause the baby was left alive just baffles me. It is better, sure but it's far from good.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Very sad indeed but we can read about this or later read about a baby being abused and killed by this stupid woman's new live in boyfriend etc...right??

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Best of luck to the young lad. He has a chance which other unfortunate young ones are often sickeningly deprived of.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

At least the mother didn't leave the baby to die.

The baby could have died...

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I think Kanazawa needs a baby hatch...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Better to read about this than yet another child MURDERED by a helpless "parent"..

15 ( +15 / -0 )

The argument that this is good news 'cause the baby was left alive just baffles me. It is better, sure but it's far from good.

Sometimes there is no good choice, and we are forced to choose the option which is the least bad.

More than likely, this baby belongs to a teenager, or someone who doesn't have the sense or experience to make a serious decision. And compared to the usual stories we read here about what is usually done to unwanted newborns, the news is quite good.

In a few places in America, it is legal to leave an unwanted baby at a fire station, no questions asked. It's a sad thing, but far from the worst thing which could happen. Such a system in Japan would save many lives.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Next time I'm in a hopeless situation I will write an Onegaishimasu letter!

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

You did well Mother, try not to feel too bad about yourself.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Isn't there a system where unwanted infants can be taken directly by orphanges without just leaving them at the entrance unprotected? That being said, this news is so much better than hearing about an infant being dropped into a toilet like I heard recently...

8 ( +8 / -0 )

But why in Katakana?

Too young?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

This was probably done by a scared and confused child. I hope it all works out.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Farmboy.

There is only ONE baby hatch in Japan and that is operated by a private/Christian hospital.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It'S ME - Did you know that technically leaving your baby at that hatch is illegal and still considered abandoning a baby? It is just the fact the hospital has said the babies are being taken into its care that is stopping the parent/s being prosecuted. However, in this case there is no such precedence and the mother, if found, may very well face abandonment charges. Sad, but true!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I am aware of that, recall the controversy when the hatch opened. In the old days babies were abandoned at shrines and temples, there are precendecies.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It is sad that the little guy will grow up as an orphan, but at least the mother showed enough humanity to make sure someone takes care of him.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Looks like sex education wasn't on the priority list in local schools.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Katakana adds emphasis to a word.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Unclear of why all the praise for this mother. The BABY could of died and do any of you have any idea the stigma this child with grown up with? Chances are this child will be in the care of the state until they are 14 and then they are on their own - often getting crappy jobs and repeating the cycle of abuse, poverty that their birth parents suffered from. I will never, ever understand why adoption is consider such a horrible thing here.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

One side of me completely hates this woman. Seriously, it's called a condom? I hate it when people really do not think about what they are doing when they have sex. Lots of people are so immature about it. I love sex, but I still use my brain.On my nice side, I thank the mother for doing the right thing. The child will be safe now.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Tmarie, Adoption is not considered "such a terrible thing" here but it is true that adoption is relatively uncommon. Adoptions do happen, within the (extended) family. In Japan, blood connection is considered much more important than in western countries. One of my friends though is an adopted child and he has no blood connection to his adoptive parents.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Cortes Elijah

One side of me completely hates this woman. Seriously, it's called a condom? I hate it when people really do not think about what they are doing when they have sex. Lots of people are so immature about it. I love sex, but I still use my brain.On my nice side, I thank the mother for doing the right thing. The child will be safe now.

Apparently that one side of you that hates this woman also likes to make assumptions. We have no idea how the mother became pregnant. What if she was raped? These days you can get drugged easily and be the victim of a date rape. I do think it must have been difficult for her to carry the baby to term and deliver it (which is obviously done outside of a hospital). I suspect the mother is young (given the use of katakana) and I commend her for -- at least -- trying to do something good, given the situation she was in. Socially, Japan needs to reform itself -- removing the social stigma of adoption and allowing families to become parents for adopted children more easily. While changing the many laws needed for this is difficult, changing the way Japanese society thinks will far more difficult.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Tmarie, Adoption is not considered "such a terrible thing" here but it is true that adoption is relatively uncommon. Adoptions do happen, within the (extended) family. In Japan, blood connection is considered much more important than in western countries. One of my friends though is an adopted child and he has no blood connection to his adoptive parents.

Perhaps you should take a poll of your Japanese friends and find out their opinions. ONE person doesn't mean it is common. I talk about this with my students and I have YET to have a student who sees nothing wrong with adopting someone who has a different blood line. If you think life for this poor child is going to be rosy, I think you need to seriously look into the issue here because it is nothing less than heartbreaking and cruel.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@ Marvel Friend. Katakana makes you think she was young? Try Hirigana.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

In these times, we celebrate that a possibly young and irresponsible mother left a baby abandoned instead of dumping in a trash can to die or murdered him outright.

I agree that it should n 't happen in the first place, there are lots of birth control methods, condoms, etc. There is also sexual education, but still, it is not enough, this case looks like a young girl probably still in school and probably very few people knew she was pregnant (yes, there are cases when a girl/woman can be pregnant and not knowing it) so she chose to abandon him instead of giving the baby for adoption, most likely she even didn't had the baby at a hospital...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How the F can people here (commenting) condemn the parents actions? It was LUCKY that the kids found the baby. It could have died, especially in this cold weather. The parents should have called the orphanage immediately after abandoning their child, at the very least. The real problem is with the lack of education about what to do in such situations though. Get on it J-gov.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

i have an adopted son, this brings tears to my eyes

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Here in California we have a state-wide Safe Surrender law. A mother can bring a newborn to a hospital, fire station or a clinic, no questions asked, completely anonymous. We had a "dumpster baby" epidemic for a while, and this law stopped that trend in its tracks.

A friend of mine's story was very similar: he was born in Korea with a birth defect that tickled local superstition. He was left on the doorstep of a Catholic Church -- kind of rare in Korea, but there are a few. He was adopted by an American serviceman and his Korean wife, and is an amazing person.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Terrible story but it does not end in a dead child. I wish more unwanted children would have the same opportunity.

One thing disturbs me is the outside temperature. Was it cold enough for the boy to survive hours if he were found later?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@tmarie

If you think life for this poor child is going to be rosy, I think you need to seriously look into the issue

I think you are confusing foster care with adoption. There are tons of kids who are very happy living with their adoptive parents.

I think life would be considerably a lot better than staying with a parent who doesn't care for or want the child. At least now the child has an opportunity to find a nice home with people who desperately want a child and willing to care for him/her.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

According to the below source, most children in Japanese orphanages are unable to be adopted because they still "belong" to their parents. It's a very sad story: http://sopheliajapan.blogspot.com/2013/01/adoption-in-japan-part-1-why-are-there.html

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@knox harrington, Iam entertaining the idea that the mother isn't Japanese. Otherwise she won't be writing in katakana. Or it could be a disguise. At the least the mother went thru the 40 weeks and did not abort nor throw the baby in the garbage nor flush in the toilet! And though growing up without a real family is heartbreaking, he has been born in Japan. Despite of so many outstanding issues this country has to settle, so many opportunities abound here. I just pray that he'd have the foresight to use it to the maximum so he'd rise to become somebody in the future. Here's a prayer of good fortune and positive vibes for him!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

No Mirai, I am not. Do a little research on unrelated blood adoption in this country and you will read some very sad and narrow minded reports and opinions. Ever wonder why no one talks about adoption here? Because it is not socially acceptable. Ever been to an orphanage here? They are one of the saddest places in Japan. This baby will suffer a stigma for the rest of their life - and chances are, will grow up in state care. There is no need in this day and age for unwanted pregnancies unless someone had the misfortune of being raped and is against abortion - which is a choice and a right. However, why people are assuming that this mother was young and raped is beyond me.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

i can at understand katakana so that's good. i'm glad the baby's alright.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

i watched this kind if situation in tv drama last week they leave a new born baby in orphanage with letter and other stuff but this mother is maybe hard to her but she need to do it we never know her real situation she just panic and afraid raising the child atleast she left the baby alive!i hope and pray that they are both okay.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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