After Two Decades of Care, Elderly Son Kills 100-Year-Old-Mother

The murder of a centenarian mother in Machida, Tokyo, has left the local community in shock and dismay. 79-year-old Masato Watabe has confessed to police that he strangled his 100-year-old mother to death.

He was physically and mentally exhausted from caring for her alone for many years. About an hour after the incident, he himself called emergency services and reported everything. Although taken to the hospital, the old woman could not be saved.

Japan’s population is growing, and the number of working-age people is rapidly increasing. At the same time, women also said that their son was also under pressure from the environment.

Personal Care

Neighbors said that the parents have lived in the same house for 30 years. They also said that the mother had been bedridden for about 20 years. The son would go out every day and often return with things.

Home-care and bathing services came to the home. But the responsibility of caring was still largely on him.

Japan’s Social Crisis

Japan’s elderly population is growing rapidly, and with it the need for elderly-to-elderly caregiving. Health ministry data shows that such caregiving is now more than 60%. The number of people in the country aged 100 or older is currently recorded at nearly 100,000. Experts say that low birth rates and longevity are putting society at risk of a new crisis.

Social Media Reaction

After the news was released, there was a reaction of sympathy, sadness and anger online. Some said that they wanted to go to Japan to care for him, but found it difficult to understand the country’s security environment. Again, technology and AI can make it easier for seniors to care.

Some think that the expansion of hospices for religious people is a waste of time. Many expatriate caregivers are concerned about how emotionally and physically difficult it can be to care for elderly parents—especially when the caregiver is elderly themselves. Some have written that long hours can sometimes feel like a blessing in disguise.

Police Security

Police said Watabe admitted to the charges. He said he was worried about his mother’s long-term care needs, as he was also ill. However, neighbors said he never quarreled and was known as a calm person. Police are now investigating the psychological and social factors behind the incident.

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