Solving Issues for the protection of child health and rights from the perspective of Social Paediatrics -Aware of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children-

Hajime Takeuchi

This article raises issues from two perspectives when considering protecting child rights in Japan today. One is the indirect impact of COVID-19 on children, and the other is six issues from the perspective of social paediatrics.
In the first half, we confirmed the difficulties faced by children during the COVID-19 pandemic from nationwide surveys. Two are from our surveys, and the remaining three are from surveys conducted by highly public organisations and a national medical institution.
In the second half, we confirmed six issues in social paediatrics and explored clues to solving them. First, we discussed child poverty. Second, we cited the annual increase in child abuse. Third, we analysed the issue of high infant mortality rates in unemployed households, which are 10 times higher than the average. As issues for children after entering school, we raised the issue of a sharp increase in the number of children and students absent for long periods, and then we discussed the issue of young carers concerning child labour. Finally, we discussed suicide among teenagers. As we reviewed these issues, we confirmed the importance of considering the state of society that lies upstream of these issues.

Supplement to the Bulletin of The Reserach Insititute of Bukkyo University NO.14 How to advocate children's rights under the COVID-19 pandemic

The Reserach Insititute of Bukkyo University

第14号

ISSN 2189-6607