A resident of Sichuan, China, killed his son with a Japanese samurai sword after the boy’s grades were deemed unsatisfactory, according to reporting from the South China Morning Post. The case drew widespread attention to the issue of family violence and punishment within households in the region.
Yang Junming lived alone with his 13-year-old son following a divorce from his wife. During a parent-teacher conference, authorities reported that the teenager’s performance at school was discussed with the father, who reacted with anger rather than concern for education. The father accused his son of laziness and poor effort, but the boy defended himself and did not concede to the accusations. In a sudden escalation, Yang struck the boy with the samurai sword, injuring him severely in the stomach.
Only ten minutes passed before a doctor arrived and performed urgent surgery. Despite medical efforts, the boy died from blood loss. An autopsy later indicated that the child had sustained other injuries prior to the fatal wound.
During police questioning, Yang claimed that his intent was not to kill, but to scare his son in hopes of altering his behavior. The court ultimately sentenced him to twelve years in prison, a judgment that drew mixed reactions from observers who debated issues of parental discipline, proportional response, and the protection of children in domestic settings.
In related, ongoing reports, another incident from a Bashkir resident highlighted the dangers of chronic parental conflict, underscoring a broader concern about how family tensions can escalate into fatal violence. These cases stress the need for support systems, early intervention, and clear boundaries within households to prevent tragedies.