A city-run nursery school was abolished, and despite a ruling that the ordinance abolishing the school was invalid, the city did not recruit new children. Parents filed a lawsuit seeking 6 million yen in compensation, arguing this was unjust. On the 23rd, the Tachikawa branch dismissed the parents’ claims.

The plaintiffs included 12 citizens from 7 households who either wished to enroll their children or had children enrolled in the two city-run nursery schools targeted for closure. In 2021, the city announced a plan to close three nursery schools due to high costs. The then-mayor enacted an ordinance to close them without the consent of the city council, which was deemed illegal when a woman seeking to enroll her child sued. In February 2024, the Tokyo District Court ruled the ordinance illegal for lacking the necessary requirements and ordered the reversal of the admission denial. However, after the ruling was finalized, the city only admitted the woman’s child and did not recruit other children.

In the November 2022 mayoral election, Toru Shirai, who was elected for the first time with a promise to withdraw the closure ordinance, submitted a bill to the city council to revoke it, but it was rejected. A new ordinance to close two of the schools was enacted last year.

Presiding Judge Nakamura stated that the city council…

Tachikawa

Tachikawa is a city located in western Tokyo, Japan, known for its history as a major military and aviation hub. During World War II, it housed the Tachikawa Army Airfield and a large aircraft manufacturing plant, which were later converted into the Showa Memorial Park and a U.S. military base. Today, it is a vibrant residential and commercial area, blending its wartime heritage with modern urban development.

Tokyo District Court

The Tokyo District Court is one of Japan’s most prominent judicial institutions, serving as the primary trial court for the Tokyo metropolitan area. Established in its modern form after World War II under the country’s 1947 Constitution, it handles a wide range of civil, criminal, and family cases, including high-profile corporate and political trials. Its history reflects Japan’s legal evolution from the Meiji era, and the current courthouse building, completed in the 1970s, stands as a symbol of the nation’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.