Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > July 2015 > Visit to Tokyo Child Guidance Office and Futaba Regional Childrearing Support Center
The Prime Minister in Action
Visit to Tokyo Child Guidance Office and Futaba Regional Childrearing Support Center
July 1, 2015
Photograph of the Prime Minister exchanging views with facility users
Photograph of the Prime Minister exchanging views with advisory staff
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address
Photograph of the Prime Minister sharing his impressions from the visit
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Tokyo Child Guidance Office and the Futaba Regional Childrearing Support Center in Tokyo.
After touring the facilities, the Prime Minister said,
“The direct-dial child-guidance service, which can be used throughout the country, began today, and the number to dial is 189 (pronounced ichihayaku in Japanese, which also means “quickly”). I hope that people will remember it quickly, since a rapid response is needed for cases of child abuse. Therefore, I would like people to call the number without hesitation, if they suspect that child abuse might be taking place. I would also like children themselves, as well as concerned parents, to feel free to call the number.
Today, six towers throughout the country, including in Kobe and Yokohama, will be illuminated in orange, the color chosen to symbolize the prevention of child abuse. Furthermore, in addition to being illuminated in orange, Tokyo Tower will display the number 189.
I would like people throughout the country to become aware of this number. Also, I plan to formulate a policy package by the end of this year to strengthen the child abuse prevention system and to enhance emergency responses. I intend to determine the basic principles of this policy package by summer.
Furthermore, the Support Center that I have just toured is helping to spread the trend of creating spaces for exchanges among children and their parents, and resolving any concerns they might have. While continuing to provide its full support for such centers, the Government intends to create an environment that facilitates the healthy growth and development of children.
Above all, children are our treasure, and that of the country as a whole. I intend to create an environment in which children can grow up in a healthy manner, and parents can have children and raise them with peace of mind. To that end, I would like everyone to remember the 189 number of the service that began today, and to call the number without hesitation if you suspect that child abuse might be happening. Thank you.”
