Candidate with ALS, Yasuhiko Funago, assured to win seat in Japan upper house

From The Mainichi

July 21st 2019

TOKYO — The historic election of Yasuhiko Funago, 61, a new candidate for the Reiwa Shinsengumi political group who is largely paralyzed due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), was assured at the count for the July 21 House of Councillors election.

The election of the country’s first ever National Diet member under paralysis and using a medical ventilator, brings Japan a little closer to his stated aim on the campaign trail to realize a society that does not define between disabled and non-disabled people.