Tokyo police program for bereaved children marks 10 years

A Tokyo police initiative in which children who have lost family members in crimes or accidents are invited to sporting events and live concerts marks its 10th anniversary this year.

More than 1,000 individuals — including children and their families — have taken part in the program, which aims to provide emotional support and moments of joy to such children. The Metropolitan Police Department is calling for increased corporate and organizational backing to ensure the program's continued success.

Launched in October 2015, the initiative began with the invitation of bereaved crime victims to a J. League soccer match, organized by the MPD's victim support division. Since then, it has held 45 events — involving activities ranging from professional sports games to music concerts — with sponsorships from private companies and nonprofits. A total of 1,014 individuals from 377 families have participated in them.

“When a family is affected by crime, their lives change dramatically,” the division said. “Many feel they can no longer laugh, burdened by guilt toward the family member they lost, or feel alienated when seeing other families enjoying themselves in public.” Children, in particular, tend to suppress their emotions despite their inner turmoil, it noted.

Takuto Sugawara, a 49-year-old assistant manager who helped launch the initiative, said there were few support systems for children at the time. “We felt like they were falling through the cracks,” he recalled.

When the division approached a professional basketball team with the idea of creating an uplifting experience for bereaved children, Sugawara said the team responded, “This is our societal duty. We’d be happy to provide tickets.”

That kind offer is what made the initiative's first event possible, he said.

Participants say the events offer a rare chance to finally smile again.

In December, a teenage girl who attended a concert by idol group Momoiro Clover Z said, “I felt energized by the music and lyrics.”

Her mother, who has been participating in events organized by the MPD division for eight years, added, “We always look forward to each event for a month or two in advance. I hope this kind of support can be implemented across the country.”

The program has inspired similar efforts in other prefectures.

In August 2024, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police partnered with Yokohama F. Marinos to host bereaved children at a match.

“Many said they’d love to come again,” said a Kanagawa official. “We’re eager to expand to more than just soccer.”

Police departments in Saitama and Saga prefectures have also adopted similar support programs.

“We can’t erase all the victims’ emotional scars, but we want to help families move forward, even if just a little,” said Goro Hibino, 52, who was previously a crime victim support officer at the MPD. “We hope more companies and organizations will join us and help grow the circle of support.”