Missing Japanese boy left in forest by parents found alive

The search for a Japanese boy, 7, who disappeared in a forest on Hokkaido island after his parents temporarily left him for naughty behaviour ended with the boy being found alive.

Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force conduct a search operation for Yamato Tanooka. (AP) Source: AP

A Japanese boy missing in a forest on Hokkaido island has been found.

Seven-year-old Yamato Tanooka, who was left by the road by his parents six days ago as punishment for being naughty, was found unhurt, police say.

Japan's military had joined the search for the boy and a local hunter was also added to the search after fresh bear tracks were found in the area where he vanished on Saturday, Jiji news agency said earlier.

The boy's parents first said he disappeared while they foraged for edible plants, but later told police they had left him by the road to discipline him after he threw stones at people and cars.

Takayuki Tanooka, father of the 7-year-old Japanese boy who went missing nearly a week ago. (AP) Source: AP

They said when they drove back a few minutes later the boy had disappeared.

It had been feared he might not have survived heavy rains on Tuesday night.

The search had gripped Japan, with news programs offering hourly updates, and thousands took to the internet to both pray for the boy's survival and excoriate his parents for what is seen as neglect.