It has been 21 years since the murder of eight children at Ikeda Elementary School attached to Osaka University of Education in Ikeda City, Osaka, and a memorial gathering was held at the school.

On June 8, 2001, Mamoru Takuma, a former death sentenced prisoner, invaded Ikeda Elementary School attached to Osaka University of Education, killing eight children and injuring 13 children and two teachers.



On the 8th, 21 years after the incident, a memorial gathering was held with the participation of about 770 people including bereaved families, children and faculty members, and the bell of the tower with the names of the eight people who died was rang. I offered a silent prayer.



Then, Principal Sanada Takumi, who was in charge of the sixth grade at that time, mentioned that schools were damaged in Ukraine and gun shooting incidents occurred in American schools. We will continue to work with the schools in the middle to make the school a safe and secure place to study. "



After this, the sixth grader of the children's representative said, "I think it is our role to never forget the important thoughts of the eight people who can no longer be regained and to pass them on to the future." rice field.



At the Ikeda Elementary School attached to the university, after the incident, faculty and staff regularly conduct training to deal with suspicious persons, and a class called "Safety Department" is set up to continue education to protect the lives of children.

The bereaved family commented, "Memory prevents weathering and supports us."

Yumiko Hongo, who lost her eldest daughter, Yuki, who was in the second grade of elementary school at that time, commented on NHK.



Mr. Hongo said, "I'm very sad when that day comes, but I think the depth of sadness is a sign of the depth of love. It's also a time to remember that I loved my daughter so deeply. I want to embrace the sadness. "



Mr. Hongo learned about mental care after the incident and continued activities to support people who lost their families or suffered from illness due to the incident or disaster. I would like to report to my daughter and the deceased children what I will do for the next year. "



On top of that, "I am trying to prevent recurrence with the idea that the bereaved families of various incidents and accidents and related parties will never happen again. I remember not only the incident at Ikeda Elementary School but also this kind of thing. , It is supporting us by having them carved in our hearts to prevent weathering. "

There is also a flower stand in front of the school

A flower stand was set up in front of the school where the memorial gathering was held, and the visitors quietly joined hands.



At the time of the incident, a 63-year-old man who said that his daughter attended Ikeda Elementary School attached to Osaka University of Education and was in the same grade as the deceased child said, "I come to donate flowers every year, and I'm thinking of visiting all my life. It's painful to think how rich the future was for the deceased children. "



A 16-year-old high school boy who is a graduate of elementary school said, "I pray every year while I am in school and visit every year after graduation. I don't want this kind of incident to happen, and all schools are safe. I want you to do it. "