Japan youngster starts volunteer online message counseling

Ozora talks with a woman who’d like to help his organisation, as he speaks in his office in Tokyo. Suicides are on the rise among Japanese teens and that worries 21-year-old Ozora, who grew up depressed and lonely. — AP

TOKYO: Suicides are on the rise among Japanese teens and that worries 21-year-old Koki Ozora, who grew up depressed and lonely.

His nonprofit “Anata no Ibasho”, or “A Place for You”, is run entirely by volunteers. It offers a 24-hour text-messaging service for those seeking a sympathetic ear, promising to answer every request – within five seconds for urgent ones.