Town in southwest Japan to close breastfeeding room after damage, suspected use by minors for smoking

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

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

The lactation room was installed in 2017 at Funai Chuo Gate Square of the station. According to the municipality’s planning department, the accumulation of waste such as empty alcohol cans and cigarette butts inside the room had gradually increased. The ministry had posted notices warning against using the room for purposes other than nursing care, 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. It was found that out of the 40 times people entered the room, only one time was a woman with an infant. The remaining 39 times were occupied by a total of 72 people: 52 men and 20 women. Many of them were young and some individuals who appeared underage were seen smoking as they entered or exited the room. It is apparently possible that the room is used for smoking and drinking.

In the future, the municipal government will examine whether the hall can be reused for other uses. A representative from the planning department said: “We apologize to the mothers and babies who used it (the lactation room). »

(Japanese original by Megu Koyama, Oita Office)