Japan: Family files criminal complaint after medical error leaves student unconscious

The family of a 22-year-old university student has filed a criminal complaint against a nurse following a medical error at Ota Memorial Hospital in Gunma Prefecture. The incident occurred in November 2025, when the student was hospitalized for pneumonia.

According to the family, a nurse mistakenly inserted a ventilator tube into the student's esophagus instead of his trachea. The family alleges the nurse failed to perform necessary checks, such as using a stethoscope to confirm breathing, which constitutes professional negligence resulting in injury.

Eleven months after the incident, the student remains unconscious and unable to breathe independently. The hospital has stated it is continuing its investigation both internally and externally and has declined to comment further at this time.