
Tomoko Ogura, the mother of the missing girl Misaki, in late April
13:18 JST, September 22, 2022
Wednesday marked three years since Misaki Ogura, then a first grader at primary school, went missing at a campsite in Yamanashi Prefecture. Her mother updated her website on the day, thanking the people who have supported her.
“I want to cherish my life until the day I can meet Misaki in heaven, and live to the fullest for her,” wrote Tomoko Ogura, 39.
Misaki lived in Narita, Chiba Prefecture. She went missing on Sept. 21, 2019, at a campsite in the village of Doshi, Yamanashi Prefecture, where she was visiting with family and friends.
In April this year, human remains believed to be a child’s bone were found on a mountain near the campsite, and the Yamanashi prefectural police resumed their search. Several bones were found and identified as Misaki’s through DNA typing, and the police determined this May that Misaki was dead.
Tomoko updated her website for the first time in about 3½ months on Wednesday, under the heading “To all those who have supported us.”
“I couldn’t admit that my daughter was dead just from being told the test results from the police, and I kept looking for the possibility that it was wrong,” Ogura wrote. “But … I started to think that Misaki would be sad if I kept saying I wouldn’t accept it.”
She also wrote that she had lost her faith in humanity due to slanderous comments posted on social media, but at the same time she had been supported by those who cried with her.
“Thank you so very much for all the warmth and support,” she wrote.
The police are investigating the case as a possible crime or accident, and currently have Misaki’s bones and belongings.
Ogura wrote: “When the investigation is over and [her bones and belongings] are returned, I want to tell her: ‘I’m so sorry that I couldn’t protect you. Thank you for coming back. Okaerinasai (Welcome home).’”
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Earthquake Hits with Epicenter in Central Tokyo; No Tsunami Warning
-
Princess Aiko Delivers First Address During Official Duty; Daughter of Emperor and Empress Speaks at Opening of International Medical Conference
-
Suspicious Plastic Bottle Containing Black Liquid Found on Tokaido Shinkansen Train; Police Working to Identify Contents
-
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Drunk Driving after Rear-ending Bus in Yokosuka
-
2025 Expo Osaka: Visitor Surge Expected in Latter Half as Increased Ticket Sales Not Leading to More Attendance Yet
JN ACCESS RANKING
-
Core Inflation in Japan’s Capital Sharply Accelerates in April
-
U.S. Holds Fire Over Yen Exchange Rate Targets; Bessent Said to Understand Negative Impact on Markets
-
Japanese Govt Mulls Raising Number of Cars to be Imported Under Simplified Screen System in U.S. Tariff Negotiations
-
Rents Mark 30-Year-High Rate of Rise; Decrease in Disposable Income May Dampen Personal Consumption
-
Japan Must Take Lead in Maintaining Free Trade System, Says Chairman of Japan Trade Group