Elementary school massacre shocks Japan

A horror broke the safe atmosphere at an elementary school on June 8 in Ikeda City in Osaka Prefecture when a knife-wielding man forced his way into classrooms and stabbed pupils randomly. He took eight little lives. The suspect's motive and other details of the incident are still unknown.

The tragedy occurred in school, where children should be protected from such dangers. Needless to say that the government is responsible for taking all possible measures to keep schools safe. It should also give emotional counseling to children who were affected by the horror.

It is necessary to take this event as an opportunity to review school safety measures and precautions. To keep schools safe for children and to make schools open to local communities are not antagonistic with each other because promoting school safety always requires local residents' cooperation. If a school maintains a close relationship with parents and local residents, a suspicious-looking man can be easily detected. Parents, teachers, and localities together must make school a place where children can study without worry. (end)