Photo/Illutration A new website for children is designed to be a calming space when they feel anxious or overwhelmed. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

SAITAMA--Saitama Prefecture scrapped plans for an ordinance that would have prohibited leaving children unattended at home, even momentarily, after a backlash from parents, many of whom are dual income families.

The bill, aimed at adding teeth to a prevailing anti-abuse ordinance, was proposed by Liberal Democratic Party members who hold a majority in the prefectural assembly. It was withdrawn Oct. 10.

The proposal “caused widespread concern in the prefecture and beyond because my explanation was not clear enough,” said Takumi Tamura, who heads the LDP caucus in the assembly.

“We received a range of comments from many individuals and organizations,” Tamura added.

In withdrawing the proposal, the LDP said the philosophy behind the bill was not yet fully grasped in the sense that it was intended to help society to safeguard children.

The bill stated that even letting children go to school or play at a neighborhood park by themselves would constitute an act of neglect.

Working and single parents, local PTAs and opposition assembly members blasted the proposal as unrealistic, saying LDP politicians were out of touch.

The proposed ordinance would have covered third graders, 8- or 9-year-olds, and younger children, and oblige the public to report cases of “neglect” they came across.

No penalty was envisaged for breaching the rules. However, Tamura suggested earlier that a penalty would be introduced in the future, if necessary.

The LDP submitted the bill on Oct. 4 in response to a slew of incidents nationwide this past summer, the hottest of record, of children dying after being left alone in cars or at home.

The bill was expected to pass the assembly, dominated by the LDP and its junior partner Komeito, on Oct. 13.

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