Japanese disability activist Hirotada Ototake seeks ‘disability gap index’
Ototake said, “I wonder if some institution will issue the gap index between” healthy people “and” disabled people “.” It should give rise to momentum. “
Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt
UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
Landmarks in Japan illuminated blue for World Autism Awareness Day
Tokyo Tower and other landmark buildings across Japan were illuminated blue on Friday to mark a U.N.-designated day aimed at deepening the understanding of autism.
Japanese Govt to Get Involved in Prenatal Tests
The report on a new type of prenatal tests designed to detect chromosomal abnormalities of unborn children from their DNA in expectant mothers’ blood calls for the ministry, academic societies and other parties concerned to establish a new steering committee.
880 Flame Events to Precede Tokyo Paralympics
Flame festivals and visits will take place in 43 of Japan’s 47 prefectures on Aug. 12-16, while the remaining four prefectures–Tokyo, Shizuoka, Chiba and Saitama–where Paralympic Games venues are located, will host similar events and the Paralympic torch relay from Aug. 17, according to a detailed program for Paralympic flame-related events announced by the organizing committee.
Six prefectural facilities for people with disabilities “need improvement,” says report
Governor Kuroiwa, who received the report, said, “Although we cannot directly link this to the incident in which 19 people were killed, the problem is connected to it, and the prefectural government’s responsibility for overlooking it has been severely pointed out. We will take the report seriously and work to realize support from the user’s perspective,” he said.
Oral care product made by Japan’s disabled could be used by astronauts
A safe-to-swallow oral care product developed by a Japanese startup and manufactured by people with mental disabilities has been selected as a candidate for use by astronauts at the International Space Station.
2,398 people with disabilities abused in Japan in FY19
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) announced on March 26 that there were 2,202 cases of abuse suffered by people with disabilities from family members, welfare facilities and employees of business establishments in fiscal 2019, with 2,398 victims. The number has remained almost unchanged from the previous fiscal year. Two of the victims died. A record 8,519 cases were reported to the local government.
Japan has a train ‘chicken or egg’ problem
An average of about 100 people a day… This is the number of people who use wheelchair seats on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
Japanese disabled lawmakers vote in person for first time due to ramp installation
On March 26, during a session on the budget, Japanese lawmakers with disabilities were able to cast a vote in person owing to a ramp that had been built in the House of Councillors in January. This was the first time in history a lawmaker with a disability could vote in person, before it had to be done via a House of Councillors staff member.
Olympic Games Minister apologizes for “lack of consideration” over absent sign language interpreter
Minister Marukawa pointed out that “diversity and harmony are one of the basic concepts of the Tokyo Games,” and said, “I am very disappointed to hear that the Organizing Committee did not make any special efforts to provide sign language interpreters for the ceremony.
Barrier Free Japan 