Coverage from TOKYO: Reporting from Shibuya, Saturday, 26/March
It is the first time in history for Royal Family to open their villa to nation.
Prefectures struggling to identify children orphaned by quake, tsunami
At least 22 children in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures have been orphaned by the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan on March 11, the Mainichi has found.
It is expected that the figure will rise significantly, as the disaster has claimed many more victims than the number who died in the Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995.
It is believed that some orphaned children are being looked after by relatives who have themselves been hit by the quake, and calls for a prompt investigation of the situation and the establishment of relief measures are likely to emerge.
In its investigation into the situation, the Mainichi asked education boards, schools and shelters in the three prefectures for information on orphaned children of high-school age or under. It found that as of March 25, there were 10 such children confirmed across the Iwate municipalities of Yamada, Otsuchi, Kamaishi and Rikuzentakata; 10 confirmed in the Miyagi municipalities of Onagawa, Higashi-Matsushima, Shichigahama, Natori and Yamamoto; and two confirmed from a household in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. All of the cities and towns stand in coastal areas struck by the tsunami.
Workers from child consultation centers in the three prefectures are visiting shelters looking for such children, but in the Iwate cities of Rikuzentakata and Ofunato and the Miyagi cities of Kesennuma and Ishinomaki, where damage from the tsunami was particularly severe, officials still do not know the total number of victims, a fact that has hindered investigations.
The Iwate Prefectural Government fears that many more orphaned children may turn up. It has already begun seeking foster homes and some families have given their consent to foster children. The prefecture is considering sending some children to orphanages.
The Miyagi Prefectural Government is also conducting an investigation, and is preparing to take children into protective custody.
