Southwestern Japanese city to close nursing ward after damage, alleged use by minors to smoke

OITA — A lactation room in this southwestern Japanese city had to be closed after security camera footage showed it was rarely used for nursing and minors may have been smoking inside, among other inappropriate uses.

The Oita municipal government decided on October 23 to close the lactation room located in front of JR Oita Station after the discovery of damage, including a hole about 50 centimeters in diameter in the inner wall. Footage from a security camera at the entrance was reviewed to investigate the situation.

The lactation room was installed in 2017 at the station’s Funai Chuo Gate Square. According to the town planning department of the municipal government, the accumulation of rubbish such as empty alcohol cans and cigarette butts inside the hall has gradually increased. The department had put up notices warning against using the room for purposes other than nursing, but the hole was made in late September.

In response, officials reviewed security camera footage from a total of nine days: September 17-23 and October 12-13. a child The rest of the 39 times it was occupied was for a total of 72 people: 52 men and 20 women. Many of them were young, and some people who appeared to be underage were seen smoking as they entered or left the room. Apparently the room may be used for smoking and drinking.

From now on, the municipal government will consider whether the hall can be reused for other uses. A representative from the planning department said: “We apologize to the mothers and babies who were using it (the nursing room).”

(Japanese original by Megu Koyama, Oita Bureau)