{
  "id": 2932346,
  "title": "3 years on, Japanese parents care for son left unconscious after choking at nursery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/3-years-on-japanese-parents-care-for-son-left-unconscious-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T03:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260824/p2g/00m/0na/015000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Three years have passed since 3-year-old Koshi Tamura was left unconscious and dependent on a ventilator after choking on apple pieces at a nursery in Matsuyama, Japan. His parents, Atsushi and Saki, care for him around the clock, with their routine demanding due to his condition. Koshi's weight has more than doubled since returning home, and physical therapist Ryo Utsunomiya continues to work on his rehabilitation, customizing exercises to his specific needs. Despite progress, concerns remain about rising prices affecting medical supplies and the potential impact of natural disasters on Koshi's life-sustaining equipment. The family keeps spare batteries and ensures thorough disinfection of reusable tubes to prevent complications like pneumonia. Koshi's accident occurred on May 16, 2023, when he inhaled raw apple during mealtime at the Niihama-Jobu Nozomi Nursery, leading to cardiac arrest and severe brain damage. While the city review committee identified issues with the nursery's practices, Atsushi and Saki acknowledge they cannot change the past and instead focus on ensuring Koshi's well-being moving forward.",
  "summary": "MATSUYAMA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Three years after choking on pieces of apple at a nursery school in western Japan, 3-year-old Koshi Tamura remains unconsc",
  "key_points": [
    "Koshi Tamura, 3-year-old, unconscious after choking on apple pieces at nursery in 2023",
    "Parents Atsushi and Saki care for Koshi around the clock, managing his intensive condition",
    "Family focuses on Koshi's well-being, addressing medical supply costs and disaster risks"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The ongoing care demands and uncertainty over future medical supply costs and disaster preparedness mean the family's life remains shaped by their child's accident and its lasting impacts.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}