In 2024, there were 3,190 serious accidents involving children at childcare facilities across Japan, the Children and Families Agency reported on July 31. This is 418 more cases than the previous year, marking the ninth straight year of record-high numbers since tracking began in 2015.
About 80% of these accidents (2,537 cases) were bone fractures, which increased by 348 cases from the year before. There were 3 deaths, down from 9 the previous year.
By facility type:
- Licensed daycare centers had the most incidents, with 1,448 cases (up 181).
- After-school clubs (gakudo) had 761 cases (up 113).
- Combined kindergarten and daycare centers reported 617 cases (up 50).
Japanese law requires childcare and education facilities to report serious accidents—such as deaths, loss of consciousness, or injuries requiring 30+ days of treatment—to the government through local authorities.
The agency believes the increase is partly due to better reporting compliance and a rise in after-school club attendance.
by MagazineKey4532