Man with Intellectual Disability Refused Participation in Tokyo Matchmaking Event, Told “only people who are healthy in body and mind are eligible to participate”

By Barrier Free Japan, extract from The Asahi Shimbun

October 22 2024

TOKYO – The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has taken issue with the response of the organizing group regarding the participation of a man with a mild intellectual disability at a matchmaking party posted on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website. The man was refused participation immediately after declaring his disability. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has asked the organizers to “take sincere action,” and the group has expressed its intention to improve.

The event was organized by a general incorporated association in Tokyo. The target audience for the party was people in their 30s and 40s. The participation fee was 8,500 yen for men in their 40s and 4,000 yen for women in their 40s. The information was posted on the marriage support portal site run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the event was held in the 23 wards in August.

20 minutes after the inquiry, a reply was received refusing participation.

The person who was refused participation was a male office worker (44) with mild intellectual disabilities from Tokyo. After applying in mid-July, he became concerned about his disability and sent a question via the inquiry form on the organization’s website, asking, “I have a mild intellectual disability. I am working as a full-time employee, but is it OK for me to participate?”

About 20 minutes later, he received a reply saying, “According to our rules, only people who are healthy in body and mind are eligible to participate. Your application will be canceled.” The email also apparently said, “Please delete the email sent by our organization. Any information you submit will be discarded.”