The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #48: Despite Sympathy for People with Disabilities ‘Post-Sagamihara’, Group Homes for Disabled Often Opposed

Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Pref – A memorial ceremony was held in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Friday 26th July to mourn for the 19 people killed in a knife attack on Tsukui Yamayuri-en, a prefectural care home for people with disabilities, eight years ago.

In the early hours of July 26, 2016, a former employee of the Tsukui Yamayuri-en care home in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, broke in and killed 19 residents between the ages of 19 and 70 with a knife, injuring 26 others.

Later sentenced to death, the killer believed he didn’t deserve such a harsh sentence and that people with disabilities that are unable to communicate can only “create unhappiness in society.”

In response to the incident, Kanagawa Prefecture has set a goal of “realizing a society where we can live together,” placing emphasis on a shift away from welfare policies that require people with disabilities to spend their entire lives in facilities, and promoting a shift to community living. However, in reality, there are many cases where attempts to open group homes (GHs) have been met with opposition from residents and forced to abandon plans.

“We won’t let them do it unless everyone agrees.” At an information session for a GH for people with disabilities scheduled to open in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, residents repeatedly voiced their opposition.

Episode notes:

‘Memorial ceremony held for disabled victims of 2016 care home stabbings’:

Memorial ceremony held for disabled victims of 2016 care home stabbings

‘Eight Years Pass Since ‘Sagamihara Stabbings’ at Care Home for People with Disabilities in Japan, Group Homes for Disabled Still Often Opposed’:

Eight Years Pass Since ‘Sagamihara Stabbings’ at Care Home for People with Disabilities in Japan, Group Homes for Disabled Still Often Opposed