Yuta Minagawa

His mother, Takako, 39, and 3-year-old sister, Mayu, were killed in the landslide, which swept their car off a road in Nagaoka on Oct. 23.

Mayu's body was finally recovered Nov. 7 from the flattened vehicle.

Yuta, who turns 3 Nov. 21, left Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital with his 37-year-old father, Manabu, who repeatedly voiced his thanks to hospital staff and reporters.

Clutching a teddy bear, Yuta waved to well-wishers from the taxi that was to take him to his house in Uonuma in the prefecture.

His head injury has almost healed, but there is a need for ongoing psychological support, the hospital said.

During his hospitalization, Yuta spoke of "being distressed because the car broke down." He apparently remembers the accident and being buried by the landslide, hospital officials said.

They said he seemed curious about the fate of his mother and sister.

Hospital officials said it was better for the boy to be released quickly because prolonged hospitalization could cause further psychological stress.

The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 13, 2004
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