Updated Saturday, May 10, 2008 0:00 am TWN, AFP

16 babies left at Japanese ‘storks’ cradle’ in one year

TOKYO -- Sixteen babies were dropped off and more than 1,000 people have called for advice in the year since a Japanese hospital opened a controversial "baby hatch," officials and a report said Friday. A Roman Catholic hospital set up the hatch a year ago, despite criticism by conservative politicians, in the hope of preventing abortions and abuse against unwanted children.

The Jikei Hospital in the southern city of Kumamoto declined to say how many babies have been left in the year. Jiji Press news agency said 16 babies have been dropped off, although one was later taken back by his or her parents. A hospital official said it has also received 501 consultations in the past 12 months.

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