If you think your child is being bullied, the school has to look into it

Japan's bullying-prevention act (いじめ防止対策推進法) is posted by the Ministry of Education. It defines bullying (いじめ, ijime) as an act, including online, by another child who has a relationship with your child through the school, that causes your child mental or physical pain.

What you can do

The act says schools must set up a way for children, parents and staff to consult (article 16). A parent who hears something that seems to be bullying is to tell the school or take another appropriate step (article 23, paragraph 1).

When the school hears that, or otherwise thinks a child is being bullied, it must promptly check whether it is happening and report the result to the body that runs the school (paragraph 2). If bullying is confirmed, several staff members, with help from people who know psychology or welfare, must keep supporting the child who was hurt and guiding the child who did it, or advising that child's parent, so that it stops and does not happen again (paragraph 3).

If the school decides it is needed, it must let the child who was hurt study somewhere they can feel safe, including a room other than the one used by the child who did the bullying (paragraph 4). If the school thinks the act should be treated as a crime, it works with the police. If life, body or property may be seriously harmed, it must tell the police immediately and ask for help (paragraph 6).

A serious case (重大事態) is when the school or its operator suspects serious harm to life, mind, body or property, or suspects the child is being forced to miss school for a considerable period. The act then requires a prompt investigation and, afterwards, appropriate information to the child and the parent (article 28).

Use the school's consultation route, which the act requires the school to have. This article does not investigate a case. Verify the next step with the school.