Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks [Podcast Episode]

By Barrier Free Japan

January 9 2026

KANAGAWA – It was learned on the 6th that the medical corporation foundation “Aoyama-kai” has decided to end two disability consultation support services under contract with the city at the end of March and has notified the city. The relationship of trust with the city was damaged by Mayor Kaichi Deguchi’s social media posts during last year’s mayoral election and the subsequent response, and the foundation has decided that continuing the services any longer is difficult. The city is considering countermeasures for April and beyond to avoid impacting users.

News reports do not explicitly state what the controversial social media remarks made by Deguchi are; although it was widely reported that during the election period that Deguchi, an independent candidate who went on to defeat the LDP endorsed candidate, made some social media comments suggesting that employees of the city social welfare council were being subjected to power harassment. Some city council members later objected to these comments.

Episode notes:

‘Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks’:

Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks