Education Minister Kenji Kosaka said the survey results are "worse than expected and shocking."

Improper safety measures were found in a large number of pools even though the ministry has sent notices to local education boards and other authorities many times to take measures to prevent young children from getting hurt while swimming.

As of Aug. 8, 1,596 pools at public schools and publicly run pools in 37 of the nation's 47 prefectures were not equipped with grilles to cover the mouths of pool pipes while drain covers at 305 pools in 38 prefectures failed safety checks.

Moreover, about 650 pools had been shut down by Aug. 8, the ministry said.

The survey was conducted on about 2,900 swimming pools after a fatal accident in which a 7-year-old girl died from being sucked into the drainpipe of a city-run swimming pool in Fujimino, Saitama Prefecture, on July 30.

In the accident, the drain cover, which was supposed to be fastened with bolts, was fixed with wire on its four corners.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 12, 2006
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