A Japanese search team has found a 7-year-old boy who was left in a dense forest by his parents as punishment after nearly a week of his disappearance which sparked a massive search.
Reports say the boy was found alive and well ending a riveting saga that has swept through the Asian country.
Yamato Tanooka was discovered in a building on a Japanese military base around 4 km (2.5 miles) from where he disappeared last Saturday after his parents left him by the side of a road, reportedly as discipline for throwing stones at cars.
“One of our soldiers was preparing for drills this morning and opened the door of a building on the base, and there he was,” a member of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces told NHK national television.
“When he asked ‘are you Yamato?’ the boy said yes. Then he said he was hungry, so the soldier gave him some water, bread and riceballs.”
Yamato was taken to hospital for checks but was healthy except for low body temperature and would be kept overnight as a precaution, a doctor told a news conference.
A tearful Takayuki Tanooka, the boy’s father, thanked rescuers for their efforts and apologised for causing trouble.
“We’ve reflected on what we did and it was really excessive,” Tanooka said, his voice shaking.
“We loved him before and now still, but I hope to give him even more attention now,” he said.
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