The number of child abuse cases reported in orphanages and foster homes has increased in recent years, according to government data, with some of the victims having been placed in such care due to similar mistreatment suffered at home.
In fiscal 2016, 128 children in 87 cases suffered physical, psychological or sexual abuse from orphanage personnel or foster parents, up from 86 children in 62 cases in fiscal 2014, data from the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry showed.
Meanwhile, child consultation centers across Japan handled a record 133,778 child abuse cases in fiscal 2017, according to separate preliminary data from the ministry.