Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 26, 2023 1
Disability Employment Japan

Rate of employment of people with disabilities in Fukushima at its highest despite nearly 30% of companies not employing any disabled

According to the Fukushima Labor Bureau, as of June 1, last year, the employment rate of target companies in the prefecture was 2.19% as a whole, an increase of 0.04 points from the previous year, the highest ever. It was 0.06 points below the average of 2.25%.

Only 825 companies, or 54.3% of the target companies, achieved the legal employment rate of 2.3%, which is required by law for private companies.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 23, 2023 1
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Kumamoto

Kumamoto Court Orders National Japanese Government to Pay Damages over Forced Sterilization

A southwestern Japan court ordered the national government on Monday to pay a total of 22 million yen in damages over the forced sterilization of two people under the now-defunct eugenic protection law.

Kumamoto District Court, presided over by Judge Yuichiro Nakatsuji, found that the law was unconstitutional, and denied the application to the case of the 20-year statute of limitations on compensation claims.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 23, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Japan’s Shingo Kunieda, World Number One Wheelchair Tennis Player Retires

The 38-year-old Kunieda, a winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men’s singles, retired while at the top of the world rankings.

He won his third Paralympic gold in Tokyo in 2021 and completed his career Grand Slam by winning Wimbledon last year. He also won 22 Grand Slam doubles titles.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 21, 2023 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Travel

Will the relaxed rules regarding e-scooters in Japan also apply to mobility scooters? | 日本でのeスクーターに関する規制緩和は、モビリティスクーターにも適用されるのでしょうか？

When preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Japan Railways (JR), based on guidance from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport required that when at JR stations, mobility scooters:

“move at a speed no more than 2km/h and follow the instructions and warnings of the train attendant, and do not use routes other than the ones specified.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 21, 2023 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Japan Sexual abuse

Kanagawa Man, 53, Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Mentally Disabled Woman Confesses Charges to Police

In October last year, prefectural police arrested a 53-year-old man for sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman at a hotel in Asahi-ku, Yokohama.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of quasi-forcible sexual intercourse is a company employee living in Sobudai, Zama City. At the time, the suspect was a staff member of a continuous employment support facility in the prefecture, and the woman was using the facility.

The suspect has reportedly admitted to the charges to the police, saying, “there is no doubt.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 19, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Japan to Raise Required Employment Rate for People with Disabilities to 2.7% (Kind of)

A Japanese labor ministry panel will propose to boost the legally required employment rate for disabled people at companies to 2.7 pct from 2.3 pct at present, it was learned Wednesday 18th January.

The panel plans to propose keeping the required employment rate unchanged at 2.3 pct in fiscal 2023 starting in April and raising the rate in stages to 2.5 pct in fiscal 2024 and 2.7 pct in fiscal 2026.