Latest Posts

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 28, 2022 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan

Why is Japan Seemingly Obsessed with “Barrier-Free Minds”?

“Barrier-free minds” is a phrase that various parts of the Japanese government uses often in its various campaigns to raise awareness of disability issues; and of course, raising awareness of the needs of people with disabilities within the non-disabled population of Japan is a positive thing. However sometimes the desire of the Japanese government to talk about “barrier-free minds”, seems to replace any talk or action about developing ‘barrier-free spaces’. It is all very well and good to talk about “barrier-free minds”, but sometimes, people with disabilities need accessible physical spaces, ultimately no ‘positive attitude’ will turn that staircase into an elevator.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 26, 2022 1
Barrier Free Japan Tourism

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism campaign highlights proper use of facilities and promotes “barrier-free minds”

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has established appropriate facilities and equipment such as barrier-free toilets, parking facilities for wheelchair users, elevators in passenger facilities, and priority seats in vehicles so that those who truly need them can use them when they need them. The Ministry will carry out a campaign to promote the use of these facilities and promote “barrier-free minds.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 24, 2022 Number of comments0
Education Japan

Former Okinawan male student with ‘adjustment disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder’ sues school seeking 12 million yen in damages

The man claims that from around July to October 2017, when he was in his first year of junior high school, he was bullied by six students in the same class, resulting in an adjustment disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, forcing him to change schools. The man is seeking approximately 12 million yen in damages from the school.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 21, 2022 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Gender Japan

Rancha Misumi’s Dream Starts at Night, in a Space where Developmental Disabilities and Gender Dysphoria are not Stigmatized

Rancha’s day begins in the internet virtual space ‘Metaverse’.

Her silky black hair sways just below her shoulders and her eyes are so transparent they seem to suck you in. Rancha is a V-tuber who streams on YouTube in her 3D avatar form. Around the third or fourth grade, Rancha was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 17, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Hearing Impaired Japan

In Osaka court, parents seek full damages over death of hearing impaired daughter

In ongoing hearings for a damages lawsuit after a girl with impaired hearing was killed in a traffic accident in 2018, estimating lost wages have become a key point of contention.

At Osaka District Court, the family of the deceased girl, Ayuka Ide, who was 11 years old at the time of the accident, have pressed for her to be treated equally to people without disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 12, 2022 Number of comments0
Intellectual disabilities Japan Missing

20-year-old woman at facility for disabled in Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture missing since the night of November 8th, police requesting information

At around 10:05 pm on the 8th, a 20-year-old female resident at a facility for people with disabilities in Sotominowa, Kimitsu City, called 110 to report that she had gone missing. The woman has an intellectual disability, and the Kimitsu police station is investigating her whereabouts and appealing for information.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 9, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Eugenics Japan LGBT Reiwa Shinsengumi Sagamihara

Member of Japanese Diet with a Disability Compares Views of Parliamentarian who said LGBT people had “no productivity” with Killer of Disabled People

In a questioning session, Tenbata pointed out that “I feel that the basis of the statement that people’s value is evaluated based on their productivity is the same as that of Satoshi Uematsu, a death-row prisoner who caused the ‘Yamayurien Incident’ (in which residents of a facility for the disabled were killed and wounded)”. Sugita said she was “very disappointed that some people have the opinion that I am the same as death row prisoner Uematsu” and added: “I will do my best to realize a society that is close to people with disabilities and enables them to live well. We are still not making enough effort”.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 8, 2022 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Disability Infectious Diseases

Japan Lower House Passes Infectious Disease Law Revision

Japan’s House of Representatives passed on Tuesday a bill to revise the infectious disease prevention law to better prepare for possible future crises caused by such diseases.

The bill, including a new rule obliging key hospitals to secure beds, is expected to be enacted during the current extraordinary Diet session running until December, after being sent to the House of Councillors, the upper chamber.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 6, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Japan

Significant increase in consultations regarding disability discrimination to Nagano Prefectural Office, “facilitator of dialogue” required

According to the department, around 80% of the consultations are about dissatisfaction with their lives and families. Less than 20% of the consultations were about problems that required a proactive response from the prefecture. Cases of unfair discrimination on the basis of disability and complaints that ‘reasonable consideration’ is not given to remove barriers in daily life and in the use of services are among the most common.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 30, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Politics

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori Causes Controversy With Comments About Walking Canes

Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (85) gave a speech at a ceremony held in Kanazawa City on 29th October to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Kanazawa Medical University, where he mentioned that he uses a walking stick and said: ‘When I use a stick, I look like a disabled person and people take good care of me. The comment could be seen as an attempt to ridicule the disabled and is likely to cause controversy.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 24, 2022 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Japan Sagamihara

Accounts of alleged abuse at Sagamihara care facility “rewritten” to make them “non-problematic”

Officials reported to the city that they were trying to cover up suspicion of abuse by falsifying records, but the city decided that there was no problem after hearing from the agency. The business group is fully funded by the city, and the chairman of the board is a former executive of the city.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 22, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability

Severely disabled Diet member Daisuke Tenbata criticizes measures for people with disabilities, calling them “paternalistic”

Reiwa Shinsengumi’s Daisuke Tenbata, who has a severe disability, asked Prime Minister Kishida about policies for persons with disabilities at the House of Councilors Budget Committee through an interpreter. Tenbata criticized it harshly for being “paternalistic” and elicited promises from the Prime Minister to meet and listen to the parties concerned.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 20, 2022 Number of comments0
Intellectual disabilities Japan

20 year old resident of Chiba care facility for the disabled missing since October 16th

According to the police, Takebata has a severe intellectual disability and she cannot speak. Around midnight on the 16th, Mr. Takehata was seen on the security camera in the facility. Takebata lived in a private room on the second floor, and the entrance to the facility was locked. She found a window in the second-floor corridor open, and it is believed that she went outside through this window.

Takebata is about 170 cm tall and has short black hair. She wore a blue T-shirt, gray shorts, and blue sandals.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 17, 2022 1
Assisted Living Disability Independent Living Japan

People with disabilities in Japan to be ‘de-institutionalised’ as support for living in the community amended bill finalized

Compared to other countries, Japan has more people with disabilities living in institutions and hospitals, which is regarded as a challenge. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare intends to amend the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and the Mental Health Welfare Act to promote the transition to community life and put in place a system.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 15, 2022 1
Disability J-Pop Japan

Tokyo Metropolitan Government asks J-Pop singer to take “immediate action” after album cover resembles ‘help mark’ for people with disabilities

Popular singer Ringo Sheena (43) created a special mark for her new album because it closely resembles the “help mark” to make it easier for people with disabilities to receive help. It was learned on the 14th that the metropolitan government had asked the record company, which sold the album, to take immediate action.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 14, 2022 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Elderly Japan

Japan to encourage online medical care as COVID, flu spread in winter

Japan’s health ministry said Thursday those at low risk of developing serious coronavirus symptoms will be encouraged to use at-home test kits and online medical services this winter, when COVID-19 and seasonal influenza are expected to spread simultaneously.

The measures, which assume a peak of 750,000 cases per day, seek to lessen the burden on hospitals and prioritize medical care for the elderly amid warnings of another surge of viruses during the upcoming colder months.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 23, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan

Osaka Court Rejects Damages Claim over Forced Sterilization

The Osaka District Court on Thursday dismissed a damages lawsuit filed against the government by a couple with disabilities over forced sterilization conducted under the now-defunct eugenic protection law.The ruling came even after Osaka and Tokyo high courts ordered the government to pay damages in similar suits on forced sterilization in February and March, respectively.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 15, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Human Rights Japan United Nations

U.N. Committee reporting on disability in Japan raises concerns about “insufficient” involvement of disabled people, lack of awareness of the rights of the disabled

A U.N. Committee dealing with the rights of people with disabilities in Japan, on Friday 9th September, expressed its concerns that the involvement people with disabilities was “insufficient” when legislation was passed and public policy was being formed and set.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 14, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Education Human Rights Japan

Japan’s Education Minister “not thinking” about ending segregated education for disabled, as suggested by U.N., claiming it promotes “inclusive education”

On September 13, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Keiko Nagaoka spoke to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, regarding the United Nations’ strong request to the Japanese government to end the current special needs education, citing that it is “separating” children with disabilities from regular education. At a press conference, she said, “I’m not thinking of canceling special needs education.”