Traditional Japanese sitting style to be recognized as punishment under new law www.japantimes.co.jp

A welfare ministry panel said Tuesday that forcing children to sit for long periods of time in the formal Japanese seiza style will be recognized as a morally unacceptable form of punishment under a new law that will enter into force in April.
The guideline will be the first specific example of parental physical punishment to have been given by Japan’s government.
In March 2018, 5-year-old Yua Funato died in Meguro Ward, Tokyo, after writing desperate pleas for her parents to stop hurting her.
Her stepfather, Yudai Funato, told a court he started assaulting Yua out of frustration over his unsuccessful attempts to discipline her.
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in October for physical abuse and neglect.