Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 6, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Japan

Misuse of Loss Prevention Tags for Stalking on Rise in Japan

The use of loss prevention tags by stalkers quickly spread in Japan last year, the National Police Agency has reported.  According to the NPA, police across the country gave advice to victims of stalking using those electronic tags in 592 cases between January and November 2025, up 1.6-fold from the whole of the previous year.    Their misuse for stalking increased from three cases in 2021 to 113 cases in 2022, 196 cases in 2023 and 370 cases in 2024, amid small, inexpensive products becoming widely available. Many victims have discovered the tags, which are supposed to be attached to wallets and keys by the owners, affixed to their cars without their knowledge or hidden in their belongings, the NPA said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 5, 2026 1
Abuse Care Disability Hyogo Independent Living Japan Podcast

Hyogo Disability Rights Groups to Rally in Kobe Following Facility Violence Reports [Podcast Episode]

People with disabilities in Hyogo Prefecture will hold an emergency rally in Kobe on January 24th to protest violence at residential care facilities and to call for the early realization of deinstitutionalization. The gathering was prompted by reports that a resident with intellectual and physical disabilities died after being assaulted by staff at a facility in Sanda City. Organized by the Independent Living Center ‘Ring Ring’ and co-hosted by ‘Remember 7.26 Kobe Action’, the event will feature speakers from ‘Hyogo People First’ and will focus on disability rights and the need for community-based living.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 4, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Politics Sanae Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi Aims for “Inclusive Society” at Barrier-Free Awards Ceremony [Podcast Episode]

Speaking at an award ceremony recognizing contributions to the promotion of barrier-free and universal design initiatives on December 24th 2025, Prime Minister Takaichi said: “The society we aim for is an “inclusive society” in which all people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, respect each other’s human rights and dignity, support each other, and are able to enjoy vibrant lives.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 3, 2026 Number of comments0
Assassination of Shinzo Abe Cults Disability Japan Unification Church

Unification Church Reportedly Backed 290 LDP Lawmakers in 2021 Poll

The Unification Church backed 290 lawmakers of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the 2021 House of Representatives election, according to South Korean media reports citing internal documents of the religious group. The documents also reportedly show that, after Abe was shot dead while delivering a campaign speech in 2022, the Unification Church deleted records on Tetsuya Yamagami, who is on trial for the murder.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 3, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Politics Sanae Takaichi

At Awards Ceremony Recognizing Barrier Free Initiatives, PM Takaichi Says She Aims for an “inclusive society”

Speaking at an award ceremony recognizing contributions to the promotion of barrier-free and universal design initiatives, Takaichi said: “The society we aim for is an “inclusive society” in which all people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, respect each other’s human rights and dignity, support each other, and are able to enjoy vibrant lives.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 1, 2026 1
Abuse Care Crime Disability Hyogo Japan

Hyogo Disability Rights Groups to Rally in Kobe Following Facility Violence Reports

People with disabilities in Hyogo Prefecture will hold an emergency rally in Kobe on January 24th to protest violence at residential care facilities and to call for the early realization of deinstitutionalization. The gathering was prompted by reports that a resident with intellectual and physical disabilities died after being assaulted by staff at a facility in Sanda City. Organized by the Independent Living Center ‘Ring Ring’ and co-hosted by ‘Remember 7.26 Kobe Action’, the event will feature speakers from ‘Hyogo People First’ and will focus on disability rights and the need for community-based living.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 31, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Deaf Disability Japan United Nations

Japan calls inadequate sign language access at UN a “grave issue”

A Japanese member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has criticized the United Nations for failing to provide adequate sign language interpretation, saying it is not complying with its own disability rights convention. Hiroshi Tamon, a deaf lawyer who began a four-year term on the committee in January 2025, says interpretation is provided only for official meetings, forcing him to pay most costs himself for other essential activities. Japan’s Foreign Ministry has raised the issue with the UN, calling it a “grave issue.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 31, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan Pension Service Officials Discarded Doctors’ Disability Assessments [Podcast Episode]

It was revealed on December 28th through interviews with stakeholders that the Japan Pension Service, which handles the administration of national disability pensions, has been secretly discarding evaluation records and requesting new rulings from different doctors whenever staff members deemed the original doctor’s decision on benefit eligibility to be “problematic.” The Pension Service admitted to this practice during interviews, stating they are “currently investigating the facts, including the number of cases involved.”