A missing 7-year-old boy was found unharmed after searchers spent nearly a week combing dense forest in the northern Japan island of Hokkaido, Japanese officials said Friday.
Japan's Self-Defense Forces personnel found Yamato Tanooka in a building on the premises of the military's Kamagatame exercise field Friday morning, said Satoshi Saito, a spokesperson for the local fire department.
Yamato was found 6 kilometers from the spot where his parents left him as punishment for throwing stones, according to local media. Yamato told police he reached the building that first night, local media said.
He appeared to be in good condition for someone who had spent seven days without food, Dr. Yoshiyuki Sakai, the doctor who examined Yamato, told Asahi TV. He spoke coherently and showed signs of mild dehydration and malnutrition; he had a light rash on his arms and legs, the doctor said.
An SDF member who found the boy said he was hungry. The member gave him water and a rice ball. The member said the boy was fine and talking normally.