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by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 28, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Japan Eyes Strong Showing at Milano-Cortina Paralympics with One Week to Go [Podcast Episode]

With one week to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open on March 6, Japan is preparing for its 11th appearance at the Winter Paralympics, carrying a proud legacy in the competition. Since making its debut at the Innsbruck 1988 Paralympic Winter Games, Japan has won a total of 97 medals – 27 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze – establishing itself as a consistent force in winter para sports.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 27, 2026 1
Disability Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Sports

Japan Eyes Strong Showing at Milano-Cortina Paralympics with One Week to Go

With one week to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open on March 6, Japan is preparing for its 11th appearance at the Winter Paralympics, carrying a proud legacy in the competition. Since making its debut at the Innsbruck 1988 Paralympic Winter Games, Japan has won a total of 97 medals – 27 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze – establishing itself as a consistent force in winter para sports.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 27, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability J-Pop

Western Japan Disability Nurses have Difficulties but “no regrets” in Reporting “culture” of Abuse

Three nurses, including Ryusuke Asakura, a 50-year-old former staff member at a municipal support center for people with severe disabilities in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, filed a lawsuit in 2024 alleging they were retaliated against for reporting abuse of residents. The trio say they alerted authorities in 2019 after their concerns were ignored internally, leading the city to acknowledge multiple cases of abuse, but claim they were subsequently subjected to lengthy home suspensions, dismissal and job transfers by the facility’s operator, prompting their legal action.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 27, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Japan Podcast Sexual abuse

Ibaraki Care Worker Who Reported Abuse Warns Legal Battle May Deter Future Whistleblowers [Podcast Episode]

A care worker who reported the sexual abuse of a female resident at a disability group home in Ibaraki Prefecture has warned that the toll of his subsequent court battle could discourage others from coming forward. Yusuke Okanemasa, 47, reported the alleged abuse in 2021, which prefectural authorities later confirmed, but he became embroiled in a dispute with his employer and eventually resigned after a pay cut. Okanemasa said the lawsuit cost him about 1.5 million yen and required “an enormous amount of mental and emotional energy, as well as time,” warning that if such consequences follow abuse reports, “people will think it’s better to keep their mouths shut,” leaving victims unprotected and underscoring the need for stricter official action.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 26, 2026 1
Abuse Care Crime Disability Japan Sexual abuse

Ibaraki Care Worker Who Reported Abuse Warns Legal Battle May Deter Future Whistleblowers

A care worker who reported the sexual abuse of a female resident at a disability group home in Ibaraki Prefecture has warned that the toll of his subsequent court battle could discourage others from coming forward. Yusuke Okanemasa, 47, reported the alleged abuse in 2021, which prefectural authorities later confirmed, but he became embroiled in a dispute with his employer and eventually resigned after a pay cut. Although the Tokyo High Court in July 2025 ruled the pay cut invalid and ordered limited damages, it did not recognize the measure as retaliation for whistleblowing. Okanemasa said the lawsuit cost him about 1.5 million yen and required “an enormous amount of mental and emotional energy, as well as time,” warning that if such consequences follow abuse reports, “people will think it’s better to keep their mouths shut,” leaving victims unprotected and underscoring the need for stricter official action.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 26, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Nagoya Podcast

Almost Three Years After Ableist Remarks, Nagoya Aims to Finalize Barrier-Free Policy for Castle Keep [Podcast Episode] 

Nagoya City held a meeting with disability groups and others regarding the wooden reconstruction of the main keep of Nagoya Castle. On February 11th the city held its first public briefing session since discriminatory remarks were made at a citizens’ debate in 2023. At the session, it reaffirmed its policy of proceeding with the wooden reconstruction plan by installing a small-scale lifting device. Nineteen groups, including disability organizations, took part in the meeting held on the 20th, where the city explained the basic principles of the plan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 25, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Crime Disability Japan Podcast Sexual abuse

Fired After Reporting Abuse, Tokyo Care Worker Awarded 4.8 Million Yen [Podcast Episode]

A former support staff member at a disability workshop in Kodaira, Tokyo, who was dismissed after reporting alleged abuse by colleagues and a senior executive, reached a court-mediated settlement in 2024 with the operating social welfare corporation. The staff member had filed suit at the Tokyo District Court, arguing the dismissal was retaliation for whistleblowing in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. Under the settlement, the corporation retracted the dismissal and paid 4.8 million yen. Municipal authorities later recognized abuse by around 10 staff members, and the Tokyo metropolitan government issued administrative guidance to the corporation over excessive welfare payments.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 24, 2026 1
Abuse Care Crime Disability Japan

Fired After Reporting Abuse, Care Worker Awarded 4.8 Million Yen

A former support staff member at a disability workshop in Kodaira, Tokyo, who was dismissed after reporting alleged abuse by colleagues and a senior executive, reached a court-mediated settlement in 2024 with the operating social welfare corporation. The staff member had filed suit at the Tokyo District Court, arguing the dismissal was retaliation for whistleblowing in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. Under the settlement, the corporation retracted the dismissal and paid 4.8 million yen. Municipal authorities later recognized abuse by around 10 staff members, and the Tokyo metropolitan government issued administrative guidance to the corporation over excessive welfare payments.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 24, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast Sexual abuse

Tokyo Disability Facility Worker Says They Were Fired After Reporting Abuse [Podcast Episode]

A Tokyo care worker who worked as a support staff member at a workshop for people with disabilities said she witnessed repeated physical and verbal abuse of service users by colleagues shortly after starting her job in 2019. The alleged misconduct extended beyond frontline staff to a male executive of the operating social welfare corporation, who she said repeatedly grabbed the groins of male users with intellectual disabilities when they did not comply with instructions, Identified by a pseudonym as Yoshimi Kurita, said they reported the abuse multiple times to the corporation’s executives, but the corporation“turned a blind eye.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 23, 2026 2
Abuse Care Disability Japan

Tokyo Disability Facility Worker Says They Were Fired After Reporting Abuse

A Tokyo care worker who worked as a support staff member at a workshop for people with disabilities said they witnessed repeated physical and verbal abuse of service users by colleagues shortly after starting her job in 2019. The alleged misconduct extended beyond frontline staff to a male executive of the operating social welfare corporation, who they said repeatedly grabbed the groins of male users with intellectual disabilities when they did not comply with instructions. Identified by a pseudonym as Yoshimi Kurita, said they reported the abuse multiple times to the corporation’s executives, but the corporation “turned a blind eye.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 23, 2026 Number of comments0
Genetics Japan Medical Podcast

Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Tokyo Gets Business Improvement Order [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s health ministry ordered a clinic in Tokyo to improve its operations on Friday 20th February over its violations of the law on safety in regenerative medicine. An on-site inspection of Ginza Phoenix Clinic found violations, including administrations of cultured cells using stem cells and dendritic cells by five doctors not listed in 10 regenerative medicine plans submitted by its director, Hisashi Nagai, to the ministry. Medical institutions face penalties for false or missing entries in mandatory regenerative medicine treatment plans.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 22, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Japan Medical

Ex-Japan Cancer Center Doctor Cleared in Bribery Case

Tokyo District Court on Friday acquitted a former department chief at the National Cancer Center Japan, ruling that no intent on his part could be established in an alleged medical device bribery case. Defendant Yusuke Hashimoto, 49, former head of hepatobiliary and pancreatic oncology at the National Cancer Center Hospital East, was accused of receiving a total of 3.15 million yen in cash transfers from Zeon Medical Inc., a Tokyo-based medical device maker, in June 2020 and May 2021.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 22, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Nagoya

Nagoya Aims to Finalize Barrier-Free Policy for Castle Keep by February

Nagoya City held a meeting with disability groups and others regarding the wooden reconstruction of the main keep of Nagoya Castle.On the 11th, the city held its first public briefing session since discriminatory remarks were made at a citizens’ debate in 2023. At the session, it reaffirmed its policy of proceeding with the wooden reconstruction plan by installing a small-scale lifting device. Nineteen groups, including disability organizations, took part in the meeting held on the 20th, where the city explained the basic principles of the plan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 22, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Crime Disability Japan Podcast

Two Arrested Over Alleged Assault of 17-Year-Old at Aichi Disability Home [Podcast Episode]

Two male staff members in their 20s have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old male resident at a facility for people with disabilities in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, including kicking him in the face. Both suspects have admitted to the allegations, and police are investigating the circumstances and motives that led to the incident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 21, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Genetics Japan Medical

Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Tokyo Gets Biz Improvement Order

Japan’s health ministry ordered a clinic in Tokyo to improve its operations Friday over its violations of the law on safety in regenerative medicine. An on-site inspection of Ginza Phoenix Clinic found violations, including administrations of cultured cells using stem cells and dendritic cells by five doctors not listed in 10 regenerative medicine plans submitted by its director, Hisashi Nagai, to the ministry. Medical institutions face penalties for false or missing entries in mandatory regenerative medicine treatment plans.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 21, 2026 1
Care Crime Disability Japan

Two Arrested Over Alleged Assault of 17-Year-Old at Aichi Disability Home

Two male staff members in their 20s have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old male resident at a facility for people with disabilities in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, including kicking him in the face. Both suspects have admitted to the allegations, and police are investigating the circumstances and motives that led to the incident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 21, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan Federation of Bar Associations calls Welfare Ministry’s Disability Pension report “clearly unreasonable”[Podcast Episode]

The Fukushi Shimbun reported on February 19th that the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) said Jan. 30 it had submitted a statement to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry calling for fair disability pension certifications, criticizing a ministry probe that found no improper handling in cases where initial certification reports were rewritten, discarded and reassessed. Regarding the ministry’s Jan. 16 report, the JFBA said it was “clearly unreasonable” to describe the rewriting of certification reports as merely correcting deficiencies.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 20, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability iPS Japan Medical

Japan Panel OKs Medical Products Using iPS Cells

A Japanese panel of experts on Thursday gave the green light for the health minister to approve the production and sale of two regenerative medical products that use induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cells. The products, if approved by the minister, are expected to be the world’s first of their kind. The panel examined the products under a conditional approval system. Even if approved, additional data on the products will be collected for up to seven years.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 20, 2026 1
Disability Japan Welfare

Japan Federation of Bar Associations calls Welfare Ministry’s Disability Pension report “clearly unreasonable”

The Fukushi Shimbun reported on February 19th that the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) said Jan. 30 it had submitted a statement to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry calling for fair disability pension certifications, criticizing a ministry probe that found no improper handling in cases where initial certification reports were rewritten, discarded and reassessed. Regarding the ministry’s Jan. 16 report, the JFBA said it was “clearly unreasonable” to describe the rewriting of certification reports as merely correcting deficiencies.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 20, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Podcast

Japan Top Court Rules Work-Bar Provision Unconstitutional [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday 18th February that a provision in the now-scrapped security services law that disqualified adult guardianship system users from employment violated the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of occupation and equality under law. The ruling, backed by 10 of the 15 justices, marked the 14th time since the end of World War II that the Supreme Court has declared a law or ordinance unconstitutional, and the first time since the Grand Bench ruling in July 2024 on the now-defunct eugenic protection law. 

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 19, 2026 1
Discrimination Employment Eugenics Japan

Japan Top Court Rules Work-Bar Provision Unconstitutional

Japan’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a provision in the now-scrapped security services law that disqualified adult guardianship system users from employment violated the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of occupation and equality under law. The ruling, backed by 10 of the 15 justices, marked the 14th time since the end of World War II that the Supreme Court has declared a law or ordinance unconstitutional, and the first time since the Grand Bench ruling in July 2024 on the now-defunct eugenic protection law. 

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 19, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Podcast

Japan’s Children and Families Agency Considers “Children’s Homes” [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s Children and Families Agency has begun considering the creation of small-scale residential facilities tentatively called “Children’s Homes” for children with disabilities, aiming to enable them to live closer to the communities where they were born and raised. A draft proposal presented at an expert panel on the future of institutional care highlighted concerns that many children are currently placed in large, distant facilities, limiting contact with their families. The envisioned Children’s Homes would provide a more home-like, small-group environment while maintaining family ties, with trained staff assigned to support children with severe behavioural disorders or medical care needs and access to external services such as visiting nursing care, as the government looks ahead to possible legal revisions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 18, 2026 1
Care Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan

Japan’s Children and Families Agency Considers “Children’s Homes”

Japan’s Children and Families Agency has begun considering the creation of small-scale residential facilities tentatively called “Children’s Homes” for children with disabilities, aiming to enable them to live closer to the communities where they were born and raised. A draft proposal presented at an expert panel on the future of institutional care highlighted concerns that many children are currently placed in large, distant facilities, limiting contact with their families. The envisioned Children’s Homes would provide a more home-like, small-group environment while maintaining family ties, with trained staff assigned to support children with severe behavioral disorders or medical care needs and access to external services such as visiting nursing care, as the government looks ahead to possible legal revisions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 18, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Japan Podcast

Mother Ordered to Pay 30 Million Yen in Abuse Damages Causing Mental Disorders [Podcast Episode]

A lawsuit in which a 36-year-old man from Kanagawa Prefecture sought damages from his mother, claiming that abuse he suffered as a child caused him to develop mental disorders that left him unable to work, resulted in the Yokohama District Court recognizing the causal link between the abuse and his inability to maintain employment and ordering the mother to pay approximately ¥35.45 million in compensation, it was learned on the 16th. The ruling was dated January 27th.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 17, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Crime Disability Japan

Mother Ordered to Pay ¥30M in Abuse Damages Causing Mental Disorders

A lawsuit in which a 36-year-old man from Kanagawa Prefecture sought damages from his mother, claiming that abuse he suffered as a child caused him to develop mental disorders that left him unable to work, resulted in the Yokohama District Court recognizing the causal link between the abuse and his inability to maintain employment and ordering the mother to pay approximately ¥35.45 million in compensation, it was learned on the 16th. The ruling was dated Jan. 27.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 16, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Japan Osaka

Harassment of a Woman May Be Behind Osaka Stabbing

A dispute stemming from alleged harassment of a woman may have triggered an incident in the western Japan city of Osaka at the weekend, in which a teenage male was stabbed to death and two others were injured, investigative sources said Monday. The suspect is believed to have engaged in nuisance behavior toward a woman acquainted with the victims shortly before the attack, which happened at the entrance of a building in the city’s Dotonbori downtown district late Saturday night, according to the sources.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 16, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan’s new guidelines warn employers not to mislabel access requests as harassment [Podcast Episode]

The guidelines on harassment by customers make clear that employers must take care not to interpret requests for reasonable accommodation from persons with disabilities as customer harassment. They note that discriminatory treatment is prohibited and the provision of reasonable accommodation is mandatory under the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and state that appropriate responses are required through “constructive dialogue” to build mutual understanding.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2026 1
Crime Disability Japan Mental Health

1 dead, 2 injured in stabbing in Osaka, suspect arrested

A 17-year-old boy was killed, and two other boys were injured after they were stabbed in Osaka’s busy Dotombori shopping area late Saturday, police said. A man in his 20s was arrested Sunday on suspicion of murder after fleeing the scene on foot, according to an investigative source. Police said they were informed that he knew the three victims and they had a dispute shortly before the attack.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan

Japan’s new guidelines warn employers not to mislabel disability requests as harassment

The guidelines on harassment by customers make clear that employers must take care not to interpret requests for reasonable accommodation from persons with disabilities as customer harassment. They note that discriminatory treatment is prohibited and the provision of reasonable accommodation is mandatory under the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and state that appropriate responses are required through “constructive dialogue” to build mutual understanding.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Medical Podcast Welfare

Japan Approves Muscular Dystrophy Drug Price of 304 Million Yen [Podcast Episode]

An advisory panel to Japan’s health minister decided Friday to allow public health insurance coverage for a gene therapy for muscular dystrophy beginning Feb. 20 and set the drug’s official price at about 304.97 million yen. Elevidys, a one-time treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory patients aged 3-7, will become the country’s most expensive drug.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 14, 2026 1
Disability Genetics Health Japan Medical

Japan Approves Muscular Dystrophy Drug Price of 300 M. Yen

An advisory panel to Japan’s health minister decided Friday to allow public health insurance coverage for a gene therapy for muscular dystrophy beginning Feb. 20 and set the drug’s official price at about 304.97 million yen. 
   Elevidys, a one-time treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory patients aged 3-7, will become the country’s most expensive drug.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 14, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan’s ‘first visit date’ rule shows gaps in disability pension system [Podcast Episode]

A Tokyo man in his 50s who was forced to quit his IT job after developing Parkinson’s disease faced difficulties obtaining Japan’s disability pension due to the system’s requirement to prove the date of first medical consultation, highlighting structural hurdles for applicants. Kenichi Sato (pseudonym), 54, was told he needed to verify an initial clinic visit from about 20 years ago, but records had been discarded under the legal five-year retention rule for medical charts.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 13, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Welfare

Japan’s ‘first visit date’ rule shows gaps in disability pension system

A Tokyo man in his 50s who was forced to quit his IT job after developing Parkinson’s disease faced difficulties obtaining Japan’s disability pension due to the system’s requirement to prove the date of first medical consultation, highlighting structural hurdles for applicants. Kenichi Sato (pseudonym), 54, was told he needed to verify an initial clinic visit from about 20 years ago, but records had been discarded under the legal five-year retention rule for medical charts.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Aichi Prefecture’s Disability Certificate Issuance Woes [Podcast Episode]

While assigned to the center, a 27-year-old male employee from the Toyokawa Public Health Center issued certificates without obtaining the required approvals, recorded false review results in documents, and altered classifications to more severe levels. In interviews conducted by the prefecture, he explained to the effect that “administrative processing fell behind, and I altered the classifications to levels that applicants would accept.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 11, 2026 2
Disability Japan Welfare

Aichi Reports 1,034 Irregularities in Disability Certificate Issuance

While assigned to the center, a 27-year-old male employee from the Toyokawa Public Health Center issued certificates without obtaining the required approvals, recorded false review results in documents, and altered classifications to more severe levels. In interviews conducted by the prefecture, he explained to the effect that “administrative processing fell behind, and I altered the classifications to levels that applicants would accept.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 11, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Crime Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Podcast

Chiba disability group home resident dies; former representative arrested [Podcast Episode]

Police in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, plan to arrest a man in his 30s who formerly headed a disability group home on suspicion of assault resulting in death after a 19-year-old male resident with an intellectual disability died under suspicious circumstances in 2025. Investigators believe the former representative assaulted the resident, leading to his death, and are also examining possible liability among staff members who allegedly failed to report the abuse despite being aware of it. Police suspect the victim may have been subjected to routine violence and are continuing the investigation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 10, 2026 1
Crime Disability Group Homes (GH) Intellectual disabilities Japan

Chiba Group Home Representative Arrested for Killing 19-Year-Old Man

According to police, the suspect, Yasuki Nemoto, the corporate representative of the disability group home in Kashiwa, is suspected of punching and kicking the resident, Ryuhei Mihara, who had an intellectual disability, in March last year, resulting in his death. In addition, Miki Tobari, who was a staff member at the time, was arrested on suspicion of destroying evidence, including wiping away bloodstains at the scene. Nemoto’s wife was also arrested on suspicion of inciting the destruction of evidence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Election Japan Podcast Politics Sanae Takaichi Sanseito

Japan Lower House Election 2026: Barrier Free Japan’s ‘Two Yen Worth’ Analysis [Podcast Episode]

As of the evening of February 9th, according to Jiji Press, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a historic landslide victory in Sunday’s House of Representatives election, winning 316 seats to occupy a standalone two-thirds majority of the 465 seats in the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 9, 2026 2
Abuse Disability Group Homes (GH) Intellectual disabilities Japan

Chiba disability group home resident dies; former representative to be arrested

Police in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, plan to arrest a man in his 30s who formerly headed a disability group home on suspicion of assault resulting in death after a 19-year-old male resident with an intellectual disability died under suspicious circumstances in 2025. Investigators believe the former representative assaulted the resident, leading to his death, and are also examining possible liability among staff members who allegedly failed to report the abuse despite being aware of it. Police suspect the victim may have been subjected to routine violence and are continuing the investigation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 9, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Election Japan Podcast Politics

LDP Wins Two-Thirds Majority, Sanseito and Team Mirai Gain Seats [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday’s general election, delivering a strong mandate for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and enhancing her ability to advance key policies. Holding more than 310 seats in the 465-member chamber allows the party to pursue constitutional revision and pass legislation even if rejected by the House of Councillors, where the ruling bloc lacks a majority. Meanwhile, the minor populist party Sanseito expanded its lower house presence to 13 seats from two, though its leader voiced dissatisfaction with the outcome, while Team Mirai won its first seat in the Lower House, according to early returns.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 9, 2026 1
Disability Election Japan Politics Sanae Takaichi Sanseito

LDP Wins Two-Thirds Majority, Sanseito and Team Mirai Gain Seats

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday’s general election, delivering a strong mandate for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and enhancing her ability to advance key policies. Holding more than 310 seats in the 465-member chamber allows the party to pursue constitutional revision and pass legislation even if rejected by the House of Councillors, where the ruling bloc lacks a majority. Meanwhile, the minor populist party Sanseito expanded its lower house presence to 13 seats from two, though its leader voiced dissatisfaction with the outcome, while Team Mirai won its first seat, according to early returns.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 8, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Produces Draft Report on Disability Employment Guidelines

A meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Study Group on the Future of the Employment Promotion System for Persons with Disabilities” (chaired by Ryuichi Yamakawa, professor at Meiji University) was held on January 30, where a draft report was compiled. To improve the quality of employment for persons with disabilities, elements that the government should prioritize will be compiled into guidelines and stipulated in laws and regulations. Guidelines will also be formulated for the rapidly increasing disability employment business sector, and user companies will be required to submit certain reports so that authorities can provide guidance and supervision.

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

Less than a month until the Paralympics, Japan finalizes Milan–Cortina preparations [Podcast Episode]

With less than a month to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games open on March 6, Japan is stepping up final preparations for a campaign that will feature broad representation across the six-sport program, including the return of its para ice hockey team.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 7, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Election Japan

Japan Disability Forum Calls for Better Polling Station Access

Ahead of the House of Representatives election to be held and counted on the 8th, the Japan Disability Forum, comprising 59 disability organizations and related groups, submitted a written request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on January 20 concerning voting by people with disabilities. Pointing out that there are still disparities in how municipal election management committees respond, the group called for wider dissemination of the ministry’s guide, “Examples of Polling Station Responses for Persons with Disabilities,” and for thorough implementation of reasonable accommodations in voting.