Latest Posts

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 31, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan

Wakayama Fails to Hire Statutory Number of People with Disabilities

According to the announcement, as of June 1, 2024, three municipalities – Kinokawa, Shirahama, and Kushimoto – did not meet the statutory employment rate of 2.8% for persons with disabilities under the Act on Employment Promotion of Persons with Disabilities. As a result, they formulated employment plans for hiring persons with disabilities as required by the law. However, despite guidance from the bureau aimed at achieving the target, the situation had not improved by the deadline of the end of December 2025.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 31, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Osaka revokes licenses of four Kizuna Holdings employment support facilities over excess disability subsidies [Podcast Episode]

Osaka City said March 27 it had revoked the operating licenses of four disability employment support facilities run by subsidiaries of Kizuna Holdings, after determining they had improperly received excessive public subsidies tied to employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Kizuna Holdings operates Type A continuous employment support facilities, where users with disabilities work in structured settings while receiving wages subsidized by public funds, with the aim of transitioning into regular employment.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 29, 2026 1
Disability Japan Osaka Welfare

Osaka revokes disability employment support designation over ¥15 billion in improper payments

On the 27th, Osaka City revoked the designation of a business operated by a subsidiary of the welfare-related company “Kizuna Holdings,” based in the city, after determining that it had received excessive additional payments for employment support for people with disabilities. The amount of the improper payments is said to total approximately ¥15 billion nationwide.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 26, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Children Disability Japan Podcast

Tottori Accepts Liability in Death of Disabled Teen at Care Facility [Podcast Episode]

In an accident in March 2025 at the “Prefectural Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center,” a residential facility for children with disabilities in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, a resident (then 14) fell from a stretcher, suffered fractures, and later died. On the 23rd, the prefectural government released the results of its investigation. As to causes, it pointed to failures to thoroughly ensure safety, including in the operation of equipment, as well as a lack of shared caregiving methods tailored to each resident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 25, 2026 1
Care Crime Disability Japan Welfare

Tottori Accepts Liability in Death of Disabled Teen at Care Facility

In an accident last March at the “Prefectural Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center,” a residential facility for children with disabilities in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, a resident (then 14) fell from a stretcher, suffered fractures, and later died. On the 23rd, the prefectural government released the results of its investigation. As to causes, it pointed to failures to thoroughly ensure safety, including in the operation of equipment, as well as a lack of shared caregiving methods tailored to each resident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 25, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Invisible Disabilities Japan Podcast

227,000 people in Japan have “Higher Brain Dysfunction” [Podcast Episode]

An estimated 227,000 people in Japan are living with higher brain dysfunction, an “invisible disability” caused by brain damage from strokes or accidents, yet the condition remains poorly understood because its symptoms are not outwardly apparent. As a result, families of those affected often face profound and isolating challenges, including sudden personality changes, emotional instability, and cognitive impairments that others may misinterpret as normal behavior. This lack of visible signs can lead to misunderstanding and insufficient support, leaving caregivers to cope with stress, confusion, and loneliness while navigating daily life alongside their loved ones.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 24, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Housing Japan Podcast

People with disabilities in Japan face persistent barriers to housing, accommodation [Podcast Episode]

People with disabilities in Japan continue to face significant barriers in securing housing and accommodation, with multiple recent cases highlighting concerns over discrimination, limited legal enforcement, and a lack of understanding among property owners and service providers.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 23, 2026 Number of comments0
Gender Health Japan Podcast

Japan’s new guidelines aim to reduce long lines of women at public toilets [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s transport ministry has come up with draft guidelines aimed at reducing long waiting lines at women’s toilets at stations and commercial facilities. At a meeting of experts and businesspeople on Friday 13th March, the ministry presented its first draft guidelines for public restrooms in such places. The guidelines say it is important for both men and women to be able to use restrooms comfortably, and that the waiting times for each must be equal. They also say that the number of toilets for women needs to be higher than those for men at facilities where the number of male and female toilet users are almost the same.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 22, 2026 1
Care Disability Invisible Disabilities Japan Welfare

227,000 people in Japan have “Higher Brain Dysfunction”; families speak of loneliness and reality

An estimated 227,000 people in Japan are living with higher brain dysfunction, an “invisible disability” caused by brain damage from strokes or accidents, yet the condition remains poorly understood because its symptoms are not outwardly apparent. As a result, families of those affected often face profound and isolating challenges, including sudden personality changes, emotional instability, and cognitive impairments that others may misinterpret as normal behavior. This lack of visible signs can lead to misunderstanding and insufficient support, leaving caregivers to cope with stress, confusion, and loneliness while navigating daily life alongside their loved ones.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 22, 2026 1
Gender Health Japan

Japan’s new guidelines aim to reduce long lines of women at public toilets

Japan’s transport ministry has come up with draft guidelines aimed at reducing long waiting lines at women’s toilets at stations and commercial facilities. At a meeting of experts and businesspeople on Friday 13th March, the ministry presented its first draft guidelines for public restrooms in such places. The guidelines say it is important for both men and women to be able to use restrooms comfortably, and that the waiting times for each must be equal. They also say that the number of toilets for women needs to be higher than those for men at facilities where the number of male and female toilet users are almost the same.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 20, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Welfare

Tottori City Imposes 3-Month Partial Suspension on Disability Support Facility For Improper Benefit Claims

Tottori City announced on the 19th that it has imposed a three-month administrative sanction of “partial suspension of business operations” on a local facility that provides independent living training and employment transition support for people with disabilities, for fraudulently claiming approximately 8 million yen in training and related benefits. The measure includes a halt on accepting new users.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 20, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Travel Blind Barrier Free Podcast

Shikoku Island Town Trials New Pedestrian Crossing for Visually Impaired [Podcast Episode]

A pedestrian crossing built to a new standard with wider spacing between white lines than before was introduced this month at an intersection near JR Takase Station in Takase Town, Mitoyo City, the first such installation in Shikoku. On the 18th, the prefectural police invited visually impaired people and others to walk across it and share their feedback. In July 2024, related laws on road markings were partially revised, making it possible to widen the spacing between white lines from the previous 45–50 centimetres to as much as 90 centimetres. This is expected to reduce maintenance costs, as it can lessen deterioration caused by vehicle traffic.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 19, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Japan KyoAni Mental Health Podcast

Withdrawal of Appeal against Death Sentence Found Valid in KyoAni Arson Case [Podcast Episode]

In the ruling on Tuesday 17th March, Presiding Judge Hisashi Ito said that Aoba clearly understood the meaning of his decision, and that the impact of his delusional disorder on the decision was hardly seen. The judge added that it is “not unreasonable” for Aoba to believe that withdrawing the appeal was better than being deemed delusional by a higher court and being executed.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 18, 2026 1
Crime Disability Japan KyoAni Mental Health

Withdrawal of Appeal against Death Sentence Found Valid in KyoAni Case

In Tuesday’s ruling, Presiding Judge Hisashi Ito said that Aoba clearly understood the meaning of his decision, and that the impact of his delusional disorder on the decision was hardly seen. The judge added that it is “not unreasonable” for Aoba to believe that withdrawing the appeal was better than being deemed delusional by a higher court and being executed.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 18, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Hearing Impaired Japan

Oita Prefecture receives notebooks to assist hearing-impaired in emergencies

Oita Prefecture on Monday 17th March received a donation of “Emergency Phone Request Notebooks” designed to help people with hearing impairments ask others to place emergency calls on their behalf. The notebooks include instructions such as “Please call 110 (police)” and are intended for use by people who are deaf or have difficulty speaking, enabling them to request assistance from those nearby in emergency situations.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 17, 2026 Number of comments0
Hospitals Japan Medical Podcast

Patient Dies, Two Critical after Injections at Hospital near Tokyo [Podcast Episode]

A male leukemia patient between 10 and 19 died and two other young male patients are unconscious after spinal injections of anticancer drugs at a hospital in the city of Saitama, near Tokyo, hospital officials have said. The Saitama Prefectural Children’s Medical Center is consulting police in view of the possibility that the incident resulted from a criminal or accidental cause, the officials said Wednesday. Of the three patients, one died in February, while a boy under 10 and the other patient, who is between 10 and 19, are in critical condition.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 16, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Japan Ends Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games with 100th Medal & Muraoka Japan’s Most Decorated Winter Paralympian [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s Daichi Oguri won the silver medal in the men’s snowboard banked slalom SB-LL1 event at the Milano-Cortina Paralympics on Friday. This is Japan’s third medal in the ongoing Paralympics, and its 100th winter Paralympic medal overall. Alpine sit skier Momoka Muraoka’s 11th career Paralympic medal at this year’s Milano-Cortina games has made her Japan’s most decorated winter Paralympian, a new high in an already stellar career.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 15, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Japan

Reports of Abuse at Japan’s Disability Facilities Rise; Expert Cites ‘Night Shift’ Issues

Experts say many incidents occur at facilities that require overnight staffing. Naoki Sone, a visiting professor at the Japan College of Social Work and a former abuse prevention specialist at the ministry, noted that abuse cases involving staff frequently arise during night shifts at disability welfare facilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 14, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Crime Disability Japan Podcast

“Stop your damn crying”: Guilty Verdict for Staff Member in Abuse Case at Hyogo Facility for Disabled [Podcast Episode]

In September 2025, a 21-year-old man residing in a welfare facility for people with disabilities in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, was assaulted by a male staff member and lost sight in his left eye. On the 10th, the Kobe District Court sentenced the former staff member, Akira Kamitake (23), to three years in prison, suspended for five years (the prosecution had sought four years of imprisonment). Testimony from the trial and further reporting have shed light on the background of the incident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 13, 2026 2
Abuse Crime Disability Hyogo Japan

“Stop your damn crying”: Guilty Verdict for Staff Member in Abuse Case at Hyogo Facility for Disabled

In September 2025, a 21-year-old man residing in a welfare facility for people with disabilities in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, was assaulted by a male staff member and lost sight in his left eye. On the 10th, the Kobe District Court sentenced the former staff member, Akira Kamitake (23), to three years in prison, suspended for five years (the prosecution had sought four years of imprisonment). Testimony from the trial and further reporting have shed light on the background of the incident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 13, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Children Crime Disability Japan Podcast

Actor Noburo Takachi on Murder of Disabled Daughter in Chiba: “I Feel a Discrimination Between Lives” [Podcast Episode]

Referring to “the case in which a mother killed her daughter with a severe disability,” Noburo Takachi mentioned the incident that occurred in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture. He noted that many opinions online say “the mother cannot be blamed,” creating an atmosphere suggesting it was unavoidable, referring to comments circulating on social media about the suspect.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 12, 2026 1
Children Crime Hospitals Japan Medical

Patient Dies, 2 Critical after Injections at Hospital near Tokyo

A male leukemia patient between 10 and 19 died and two other young male patients are unconscious after spinal injections of anticancer drugs at a hospital in the city of Saitama, near Tokyo, hospital officials have said. The Saitama Prefectural Children’s Medical Center is consulting police in view of the possibility that the incident resulted from a criminal or accidental cause, the officials said Wednesday. Of the three patients, one died in February, while a boy under 10 and the other patient, who is between 10 and 19, are in critical condition.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 12, 2026 1
Crime Disability Entertainment Japan

Actor Noburo Takachi on Murder of Disabled Daughter: “I Feel a Discrimination Between Lives”

Referring to “the case in which a mother killed her daughter with a severe disability,” Noburo Takachi mentioned the incident that occurred in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture. He noted that many opinions online say “the mother cannot be blamed,” creating an atmosphere suggesting it was unavoidable, referring to comments circulating on social media about the suspect.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 12, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast

Ex-Tokyo Disability Facility Worker Referred to Prosecutors Over Railroad Crossing Death [Podcast Episode]

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on the 10th referred a 46-year-old former employee of the disability support facility Takinogawa Gakuen Adult Division to prosecutors on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death, over an incident last March in which he allegedly looked away from a man with an intellectual disability (48 at the time), leading to the man being struck and killed by a train at a railroad crossing in Kunitachi, Tokyo, investigative sources said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 11, 2026 1
Care Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan

Ex-Tokyo Disability Facility Worker Referred Over Railroad Crossing Death

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on the 10th referred a 46-year-old former employee of the disability support facility Takinogawa Gakuen Adult Division to prosecutors on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death, over an incident last March in which he allegedly looked away from a man with an intellectual disability (48 at the time), leading to the man being struck and killed by a train at a railroad crossing in Kunitachi, Tokyo, investigative sources said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 11, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Earthquake Japan March 11 Medical Podcast

3/11 Earthquake 15 Years On [Podcast Episode]

Many evacuees from Fukushima Prefecture cite anxiety about a lack of medical services as a reason for their hesitation to return to their hometowns devastated by a severe nuclear accident following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. More than half of the population who lived in Futaba just before the triple disaster are still living outside their hometowns, although evacuation orders have been lifted in many places in the county. In Fukushima, the number of medical institutions has plunged since the disaster. Many of the 132 medical facilities that had operated in the prefecture have suspended operations, leaving only 47 currently in service.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Sports

Japan’s Muraoka Wins Silver at Milan-Cortina Paralympics

Momoka Muraoka won the silver medal in the women’s alpine skiing super-G sitting event at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics on Monday, bringing Japan its first medal of the ongoing games. Despite failing to win back-to-back gold medals in the event, Muraoka secured a podium finish for the third consecutive Winter Paralympics.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Children Crime Disability Japan Podcast

Chiba Mother Arrested Over Alleged Drowning Death of Disabled Daughter [Podcast Episode]

A mother has been arrested on suspicion of killing her daughter by drowning her face in water at a home in Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture. The suspect (58) is suspected of killing her daughter Kana (29) by holding her head against a container filled with water at her home in Mobara City on the 8th. Kana was severely disabled and bedridden, and the mother reportedly admitted to the charges, saying, “I intended to kill myself, too.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 9, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Ancient Verona Arena boosts accessibility for Paralympics opening ceremony [Podcast Episode]

The modifications to the arena, which dates back around 2,000 years, include ramps, protective railings and, after the games, an elevator. The work has been undertaken as part of some 20 million euros ($23 million) worth of improvements funded by the Italian government to enhance accessibility throughout Verona.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 8, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Sports

Paralympics: Ancient Verona Arena boosts accessibility for opening ceremony

The modifications to the arena, which dates back around 2,000 years, include ramps, protective railings and, after the games, an elevator. The work has been undertaken as part of some 20 million euros ($23 million) worth of improvements funded by the Italian government to enhance accessibility throughout Verona.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 8, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Welfare

Saitama Disability Facility to Be Abolished on April 1; Families of Users Forced Into Unwanted Transfers Say Move Is “Irresponsible”

Families of users of a disability care facility in Kawaguchi have voiced concern over the planned April 1 closure of the center, saying many clients still have no confirmed alternative placements. City officials said the decision was driven by rising welfare costs, noting that the annual designated management fees are about 4.04 million yen for the daily care facility and roughly 2.33 million yen for a related employment support center. The closure ordinance was approved by the municipal assembly with support from members of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, but families criticized the timeline as too short to arrange suitable transfers. The assembly has also urged the city government to take responsibility if alternative placements are not secured before the shutdown.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 8, 2026 Number of comments0
Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Sounds of The Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics Beginning [Podcast Episode]

The Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games kicked off Friday with an opening ceremony at an amphitheater in Verona, a UNESCO world heritage city in northern Italy. Over 600 athletes from a record 55 countries and regions will vie for medals in 79 events across six sports at the first winter Paralympics in Italy since the 2006 Turin Games. A total of 44 Japanese athletes will compete in all six sports, making it the largest Japanese delegation for a winter Paralympic Games held outside of Japan. Considering the burden of travel caused by the dispersed venues, each country and region was encouraged to have only two athletes attend the opening ceremony. Snowboarder Junta Kosuda and curling player Aki Ogawa carried the Japanese flag in the ceremony. Japanese Paralympians are just three medals shy of reaching a 100 cumulative medals won at the Winter Games. The country netted 24 medals at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics held last month, a record high for the Winter Olympics.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 7, 2026 Number of comments0
Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Japan heads to Winter Paralympic Games with biggest team in decades [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s biggest Winter Paralympic delegation in decades will take part in the Milan Cortina Games from Friday, with competitors in multiple events tipped to bring home medals.
The Winter Paralympics, which run through March 15, are Italy’s first since Torino 2006 and mark the 50th anniversary of the games. More than 600 athletes are expected to compete in 79 events in six sports.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 7, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Sports

Wheelchair curlers open Milan Cortina Paralympic Games for Japan

Japan’s wheelchair curling mixed doubles team opened the country’s campaign at the Milan Cortina Paralympics on Wednesday, ahead of the official start of the international sporting event later this week. Aki Ogawa, 50, and Yoji Nakajima, 61, lost 10-3 to China in their opening round-robin match after surrendering an early lead and allowing their opponents to steadily extend the margin. Admitting she was unable to overcome the pressure, Ogawa said after the match at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, “It is a pleasure to play the sport I love on such a stage.”