To children who live in Japan – If you are being physically abused, verbally abused or neglected

To children who live in Japan
– If you are being physically abused, verbally abused or neglected

Published September 2023

This article is for children in Japan.
(This article is also available in simple Japanese (やさしい日本語).)

Are you living happily? Has your father, mother, or any adult said something not pleasant or not been nice to you?

Under Japanese law, any children (between the ages of 0 and 18) living in Japan have the right to be protected from any type of abuse.
Your nationality or origin does not matter.

What is abuse?

If your father, mother or adult living with you acts in any of the following way, it is child abuse.

Physical (body) abuse	Beating, kicking, hitting, throwing, shaking violently, inflict burns, drowning, strangling, keeping children in a room alone tied by ropes, etc. This also includes physical punishment for the purpose of discipline.
Sexual abuse	Sexual acts on children, showing sexual acts to children, touching a child’s genitals, having a child touch someone’s genitals, taking picture/video of a naked child, etc.
Neglect	Locking children inside a house, not giving children food, leaving children very dirty, leaving children in a car, not taking children to the hospital even if they are very sick and need treatment, etc.
Psychological abuse	Verbal threats, ignoring, unfair treatment between children, violence to family members in front of children (domestic violence: DV), abusive actions to other children (brothers and sisters), etc.

All children need to feel safe and be loved.
Even if you do not fit into the above examples, if you are feeling unhappy or unsafe, you may be experiencing abuse.

Children and work

In addition, if children are asked to work, below is not allowed under Japanese law.

It is basically not allowed to have children work until the first April 1 after they turn 15 years old.
Children between the ages of 15 and 18 are not allowed to work between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Also, children cannot provide alcohol to customers or work that includes drinking alcohol with customers.
It is not allowed for parents or other adults, to make a labor contract in the name of a minor child (under 18 years old in Japan) to work for adults, or to receive money instead for the work done.

Can I tell people about my abuse?

You may feel ashamed about the abuse you have suffered or are suffering, and think that

people should not know about it,
or you should not make a big deal out of it,
and you should keep quiet about it.

But that is not true. You have the right to be protected from people who harm you physically and mentally.

There are two places you can talk about abuse.
If you have no one to talk to, call one of the palces below.

phone 189 (Child Guidance Center)

At a place called “Child Guidance Center” (jidou soudan sho 児童相談所), people are working to help children.
There is a Child Guidance Center in your area too.

The people at the Child Guidance Center have strong legal power to help children.

It is safe and OK to talk to them.
You can talk about the abuse you have suffered or are suffering.
They will listen to you and act for you.

Call “189” and you will be connected to the Child Guidance Center. Tell them about your current situation.
(But they can only speak Japanese.)

Human Rights Consultation for Foreigners

If you have difficulty speaking in Japanese, check refer to “Human Rights Consultation for Foreigners” (外国人のための人権相談) page.
https://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken21.html

Choose your language and call or e-mail them for support. counseling.
(They will contact the Child Guidance Center if necessary.)

What happens after you speak?

The Child Guidance Center of the area where the children lives will respond to you.
if you want to stay away from your family, they will liten to you as well.

If you seem to be in danger and being at home puts you at risk, the person from the Child guidance Center will take you to a safe place and protect you.

They will then figure out what is best for you. They will also listen to your wishes.

A message to you

Adults must take care of children and provide their safety.
If you are having a hard time with a family member, you have the right to ask them to change or stop abusing you.

Again, if you feel you are being abused, contact one of the places listed above and talk to them.

* This article was written by Lights On Children and was translated into English with the help of volunteers.