A Japanese couple with six children sparked outrage for relying on their 12-year-old eldest son to babysit his younger siblings daily, leaving him no free time. Asahi Broadcast Television, a Japanese media outlet, exposed the boy’s story on its variety show Detective! Knight Scoop, which aired on January 23.
A sixth-grade student from Hiroshima Prefecture reached out to the programme, asking for relief from his responsibilities as the oldest child in his family.
“I have five younger brothers and sisters. I am 12 years old, while my siblings are aged 10, eight, five, two and less than one,” the boy wrote in his letter.
The boy, Kuranosuke, said that his mother manages a laundry shop, while his father helps her with the business, and he, along with his father, takes care of chores at home.
“While my parents are at work, I look after my siblings. I have to do a lot of stuff, like cooking and folding clothes,” said Kuranosuke.
“I envy my classmates who can play freely. I am tired of being the oldest brother. I want to quit for just one day. Can you help me to be the oldest brother for one day?” the boy pleaded.
The program sent comic actor Seiya to replace Kuranosuke at his home for a day.
Once the boy’s 38-year-old parents left home for work, Seiya took care of the younger siblings. Seiya was filmed changing nappies, cooking, folding clothes, putting the youngest to sleep, playing games with them, helping them take a bath and drying hair.
In the middle of the chores, Seiya lay down on the sofa, saying he was exhausted.
As the Kuranosuke’s parents returned home in the evening, the film crew was preparing to leave, and the mother was heard yelling to her son, “Cook the rice! Seven cups”, which angered the audience.
Internet users found that the mother had reportedly written on social media that her oldest child was “good to use” when he was six. The boy’s case drew strong criticism in Japan, with many accusing the parents of neglect.
One user said, “Since they have so many kids, they should have prepared to look after them all instead of ordering the oldest one to babysit his siblings.”
Another user said, “How wretched this boy is. When he recalls his childhood, it will be full of doing household chores and looking after his younger brothers and sister,” said another.”
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