22nd anniversary of the Ikeda Small Incident, memorial gathering, vows to prevent the incident from being forgotten

Osaka It has been 8 years since eight children were murdered at Ikeda Elementary School attached to Osaka Kyoiku University in Ikeda City. On the 8th, a memorial gathering was held at the school, vowing to prevent the incident from being forgotten.

On June 13, 6, former death row inmate Mamoru Takuma broke into Ikeda Elementary School attached to Osaka Kyoiku University, killing eight children and injuring 8 children and two teachers.

On the 8th, the 13nd anniversary of the incident, a memorial gathering was held with a total of about 2 people, including bereaved families, children, and teachers, and the bell of the tower engraved with the names of the eight deceased was rung and everyone offered a moment of silence.

Principal Takumi Sanada, who was the homeroom teacher of the sixth grade at the time, said, "There is no end to incidents of attacks on schools and children. We will continue to work to ensure that the school is a safe and secure place to learn."

After this, the sixth-grade student representative of the children vowed, "We will always keep in mind the feelings that our eight seniors wanted to live and deliver the feelings that have been passed down to the next generation.

At Ikeda Elementary School, in addition to training for dealing with suspicious persons, we have established a class called "Safety Department" based on the lessons learned from the incident, and continue to educate children to protect their lives.

Comments from the bereaved families: "Listening to the hearts of the children"

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

Ms. Hongo said, "While 2 years seems like a long time has passed, I vividly remember the incident as if it had just happened. Today, I would like you to listen to the hearts of the children who have been affected."

Regarding the fact that there are no more incidents in which children are in danger, such as an incident in Saitama Prefecture in which a 22-year-old boy broke into a junior high school and slashed a teacher with a knife in March this year, he said, "I believe that the most important thing in schools is for each and every one of us to have an awareness that we are entrusting the lives of children. When I hear about suspicious people breaking into schools or getting injured because of it, the same thing is repeated, and I think it's still an issue."

On top of that, he said, "We are working on activities with the hope that the bereaved families of not only the incident at Ikeda Elementary School but also various incidents and accidents will never happen again, and I want children and us adults to feel that their lives are protected."

A man visiting an elementary school at the time of the incident said, "June 6 is an important day."

A 55-year-old man who was visiting Ikeda Elementary School for work at the time of the incident said, "I come to offer flowers every year after the incident, and June 6 is an important day for adults to think about how to protect children and how children themselves should protect themselves. Every time I remember the faces of the children who were victims, I wonder what kind of adults they grew up to be."

Classmate who witnessed the scene in the classroom "I want to forget, but I must not forget"

A 1-year-old man who was a first-year student at Ikeda Elementary School at the time and witnessed the scene in the classroom said, "June 28 is a day I want to forget, but I think every year that I should not forget it. In the wake of the incident, I feel that my fear of death is stronger than that of others. I want to do my best every day so that I can proudly say to my deceased classmates that I am living a good life."

Graduates of Ikeda Elementary School: "I believe it is a safe school"

A woman in her 3s who graduated from Ikeda Elementary School attached to Osaka Kyoiku University and whose son is in the third grade of elementary school attends Ikeda Elementary School said, "I was too shocked to come to school for a while after the incident, but recently my son attends, so I come to offer flowers with the desire to join hands with the children who were affected. I hope that children will continue to be able to attend with a smile and peace of mind."