Search resumes for Japanese boy abandoned in woods as ‘punishment’

The search for a seven-year-old Japanese boy who was left by his parents in the woods in a remote area of Hokkaido as a punishment, has resumed, according to international reports.

The boy, who has not been seen for two days, was left alone in the woods because he misbehaved, the parents have admitted, after initially claiming the boy had got lost as they foraged for vegetables.

However, the couple admitted on Sunday, that they admitted they left him alone for a few minutes to discipline him only to find him missing when they returned on the scene.

"I wanted to discipline him, so made him get out of the car to scare him a bit. He's an active, lively boy, but I'm worried how he's doing," the BBC reports the boy’s father saying.

He told reporters the boy had thrown stones at cars and people during a visit to a nearby park, so he felt he needed to be a strong father.

Fears are escalating because the area, in the far north of Japan, is home to wild bears.

According to the BBC, Monday's search began at 06:00 local time (21:00 GMT Sunday), involving 130 people, including police and school officials, local media reported.