Japan kindergartener, man thanked by police for helping save girl lost in drainpipe

KAMAKURA — A 5-year-old boy was given a letter of thanks by police here on Aug. 6 for his help in locating an elementary school girl who had gotten lost in a drainpipe near the famous beach area of Enoshima.

The Kanagawa Prefectural Police’s Kamakura Police Station awarded the boy, Kenzo Kado, along with 37-year-old Kei Anzai from the city of Saitama, for their efforts. At the presentation ceremony, the boy, who goes to a kindergarten in Kamakura, said that when he learned that the girl had been saved, he was “very moved.”

According to the police station, the boy had gone to Koshigoe Beach with his family on July 29 to catch crabs. At around 5:40 p.m., the boy heard a girl’s crying voice from a pipe, and immediately told his mother, 36-year-old Kanako. Kenzo’s 38-year-old father Kota and Anzai worked together and reported the situation to the fire department and others. The girl was located approximately 80 meters inside the pipe, and was safely rescued.

When asked about his dreams for the future, Kenzo replied, “I want be a conductor for the Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway).”

(Japanese original by Mayu Miyamoto, Yokohama Bureau)