Japan to Complete Vaccinations for Elderly in July
All 1,741 municipalities in the country expect to complete inoculating residents aged 65 and older by the end of next month, said the sources who reviewed a government survey on the matter.
Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt
UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
Osaka District Public Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a “representative hearing” into sexual offences against people with intellectual disabilities, with a hope to relieve “mental burden”
The Osaka District Public Prosecutor’s Office is collaborating with the Osaka Prefectural Police Department. The focus concerns victims of sex crimes with intellectual, and a senior prosecutor said, “The characteristics and degree of disability vary from person to person. We are carefully considering what method is appropriate.”
Disability News Japan Podcast Episode 65: Tsu District Court to hear case of killing of daughter with a disability by 72 year mother with an illness
The trial in a murder case in which an elderly mother, who lived alone with her daughter who had a severe intellectual disability, began at the Tsu District Court on June 7th.
Postponed event celebrating new adults with disabilities held in Sagamihara city
The event, which is separate from the coming-of-age ceremony organized by the city, has been held every year for the past six years by a group of parents of children with disabilities.
Elderly vaccination pace varies among cities in Japan
A survey found that four cities — including Sakai, Osaka Prefecture — have administered a first shot to over 50% of their populations, while another 14 cities — including Yamaguchi — have cleared the 40% threshold. Rounding out the bottom of the list were 15 municipalities where fewer than 20% of elderly residents had received their first shot.
New law in Japan to help children with medical needs highlights how children are often denied education
A just-enacted law in Japan to support children who need daily medical care and their families has laid bare the hardships such children face in entering the education system, including admission to nurseries and primary schools — something the rest of society takes for granted.
Discounts for disabled with “Suica” and “PASMO” cards to start in the second half of 2022 in the Kanto region of Japan without need to show a ‘disability certificate’
In order to make it easier for people with disabilities to use the system, a council made up of 69 railway and bus operators in the Kanto region and elsewhere has announced that from the second half of next year people will be able to use Suica and PASMO to receive discounts without having to show their disability certificate.
Paralympic athletes with intellectual disabilities arrive at Nagano training camp for Tokyo 2020 Games
The training camp, which is being held at a facility in Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, at an altitude of 1,750 meters, includes seven athletes who have been selected to represent Japan in the para-athletics class for intellectual disabilities.
Increasing prenatal tests in Japan fuel abortion concerns among Down syndrome groups
The Japanese government has decided to improve the provision of information on noninvasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT), which examines pregnant women’s blood to determine the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses.
The decision has come about due to factors including births at advanced maternal ages driving up need for testing, but concern is growing among people with Down syndrome and their families that depending on how the information is conveyed, it could lead to “selection of life” practices and perpetuate prejudice.
‘Reasonable accommodation’ to be made mandatory in Japan’s private sector to eliminate discrimination against disabled
On 28 May, the revised Disability Discrimination Act was unanimously passed by the House of Councillors at a plenary session, requiring private companies to provide “reasonable accommodation” to support the mobility and communication of people with disabilities. The government will now consider the fundamental policy based on the revised law and make a cabinet decision.
