Hinata is currently living safely, healthily, and peacefully under the care of his maternal grandparents.
He attends elementary school, participates in a local sports club, and continues to grow while building positive relationships within his community.
Legal proceedings are still ongoing, and the danger remains.
The court has ruled that Hinata should be returned to his father and his father’s partner, whom we allege abused him.
Hinata’s father, a Chinese national, has informed the court that he intends to take Hinata abroad and live with him in his home country.
If Hinata is taken outside Japan, it will become extremely difficult to monitor his safety, confirm his well-being, or continue to understand his wishes and living conditions.
Once a child is taken abroad, even confirming that the child is alive may become extremely difficult and, in practice, sometimes impossible.
Hinata and his grandparents live with the fear that he may never return alive.
Furthermore, if the ongoing legal proceedings prevent his maternal grandparents from continuing their efforts, they may no longer be able to speak publicly or advocate for his protection.
For this reason, we respectfully ask the media and the public to continue monitoring this case.
If the current situation continues,
Hinata will effectively lose every place where he can say,
“I’m suffering.”
“I’m in pain.”
“I don’t want this.”
Instead of his cries for help reaching those who can protect him, there is a real possibility that he will no longer be able to ask for help at all.
We believe many people can understand how frightening such a situation would be.