The weight of not knowing: Japan’s long-missing children 06.05.2026

Setsuji Nomura of Yokohama, Japan, has been searching for his daughter, Kaori, for 35 years. Kaori, then 8 years old, disappeared on an April afternoon from their quiet residential neighborhood after leaving her home. The article highlights the enduring pain and uncertainty faced by families of missing children in Japan, referencing a signboard in the area that still seeks help in finding Kaori. The piece underscores the difficulty of obtaining reliable information in the digital age and the importance of journalism in reporting such long-standing cases. Nomura continues to reside in the same house where his daughter was last seen.

The Japan Times Full Article


















