A 22-year-old employee died after being pinned under a pig at a farm in Soo, Kagoshima Prefecture. The pig is believed to have weighed approximately 300 kilograms. The man was found collapsed inside a pigpen enclosure and was later pronounced dead after being transported to hospital.
On the 21st, a coworker found Watanabe Reiji (渡邉怜士), 22, an employee, collapsed inside a pigsty at a farm in Takarabe, Soo, Kagoshima Prefecture. According to police, the incident occurred inside an enclosure approximately 60 centimeters wide and 2 meters deep, where Watanabe was reportedly pinned under a pig. Emergency responders arrived and transported Watanabe to hospital while he was unconscious, but he was pronounced dead about 3 hours later.
At the time of the incident, Watanabe was reportedly working alone to vaccinate a pig. He had no noticeable external injuries, and police are investigating the cause of death. A pig weighing approximately 300 kilograms was present at the site, and the investigation is expected to examine in detail the causal relationship to the accident and the work procedures involved.
The news was widely reported through local media, and attention may now focus on discussions concerning safety measures at similar workplaces and working conditions in pigsties. The relevant authorities are expected to organize information aimed at preventing a recurrence.