A teacher at an elementary school in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, is facing discipline for abusive treatment of one of his pupils that allegedly included urging him to commit suicide.
The 41-year-old teacher allegedly told his second-grade student on July 17, "Do you have (a purpose to) live? If not, then jump from the window," sources familiar with the matter said Thursday.
The teacher at the city-run Shirawaki Elementary School also reportedly physically abused the 8-year-old boy by grabbing his arm and pushing him. The boy hit his back against another pupil and fell to the floor, the sources said.
The Hamamatsu board of education is considering punishment against the teacher, determining that an apology he offered to the boy and his parents isn't enough, the sources said.
The teacher reportedly told the board that he became angry with the boy because he didn't follow instructions.
Board member Yasuo Sasahara said the city is taking the matter seriously and is investigating the teacher's past behavior as well.
According to other sources, he once reportedly told a non-Japanese pupil to "go back to your country."