Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 2, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Blind Braille Disability Japan Tourism Travel

“Speaking” tactile sidewalks enrich lives of visually impaired

Tactile paving for people with visual impairments in Japan has recently been enhanced with audio guidance, as the developers of the technology aim to improve the lives of people with partial sight and assist sighted tourists. The new braille blocks are marked with black stickers in special patterns. By scanning the coded blocks with a smartphone camera and app, users can listen to audio information about the location and its surroundings.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 2, 2025 1
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

Elderly and Disabled Struggled to Evacuate Amid Japan Tsunami Warnings

When tsunami warnings were issued across parts of Japan on July 30, tens of thousands of residents were urged to evacuate coastal areas. However for some elderly and disabled people, evacuation proved either extremely difficult or impossible. An 80-year-old woman in Iwaki, caring for her 86-year-old husband who uses a wheelchair, explained her dilemma: “It’s physically impossible for me to push his wheelchair to the local elementary and junior high schools designated as evacuation centers. And there’s no way I’ll go and leave my husband behind.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 2, 2025 Number of comments0
Japan Podcast Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake Typhoon

Tsunami Advisories Fully Lifted in Japan, Severe Tropical Storm ‘Krosa’ on the Way [Podcast Episode]

The last remaining advisories, in place for Pacific coastal areas between Hokkaido and Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, as well as for Tokyo’s Izu Islands and the Tanegashima and Yakushima islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, were lifted at 4:30 p.m on Thursday 31st July, roughly 32 hours after the quake. Severe Tropical Storm number nine ‘Krosa’ will probably brush past the Kanto region of Japan late August 1st/early August 2nd.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 1, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Podcast Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

24 Hours After the Tsunami Warning [Podcast Episode]

All ’Tsunami Warnings’ are now lifted, and at the time of recording, only some ‘advisories’ for northern and eastern Japan remained. The government on Tuesday approved expanded disaster relief to better support the elderly and people with disabilities during emergencies, including armed attacks. There are concerns about disaster-related deaths, as some evacuees die due to their health deteriorating after evacuation. The government also sees a need to strengthen protection for evacuees in the event of armed attacks.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 31, 2025 1
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan

Japan expands aid for the elderly and people with disabilities in emergencies

The government on Tuesday approved expanded disaster relief to better support the elderly and people with disabilities during emergencies, including armed attacks. There are concerns about disaster-related deaths, as some evacuees die due to their health deteriorating after evacuation. The government also sees a need to strengthen protection for evacuees in the event of armed attacks.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 31, 2025 Number of comments0
Elderly Health Japan My Number

Japan to Start Phasing Out Traditional Health Insurance Cards

Most conventional public health insurance cards under the medical care system for the elderly and the national health insurance program will expire on Thursday as part of a full transition to a digital system. Starting Friday, people without a My Number personal identification card with health insurance card functions must present an eligibility certificate to receive medical care, in line with the shift to using My Number cards as health insurance cards.But to prevent confusion, the health ministry will allow conventional paper or plastic health insurance cards to be used until the end of March 2026 to receive medical care.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 30, 2025 Number of comments0
Disasters Japan Kamchatka Quake Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

Tsunamis reached Japan on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula the same day. A 1.3-meter-high tsunami was observed at 1:52 p.m. at a port in Kuji, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan.By 4 p.m., tsunamis of 80 centimeters were observed in the city of Nemuro in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido and on the Tokyo island of Hachijojima. A tsunami of 70 centimeters arrived at Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, which neighbors Iwate, and tsunamis of 60 centimeters at the Hokkaido town of Hamanaka, the city of Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, south of Miyagi, and the town of Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, south of Fukushima.  According to the agency, large tsunamis are expected to continue for about a day, based on past cases of tsunamis caused by large earthquakes that occurred near Japan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 30, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Heatstroke Japan

10,000 taken to hospital in week for heat-related illnesses in Japan

Over 10,000 people in Japan were taken to hospital due to heat-related illnesses over the course of a week in July, marking the highest weekly figure so far this year, official data showed Tuesday, with temperatures topping 35 C at hundreds of observation points. Among the individuals, 260 required hospitalization for more than three weeks, while 3,624 needed short-term stays in medical facilities. Of those taken to hospital, 55.6 percent were aged 65 or older.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 30, 2025 Number of comments0
Children Disability Japan Podcast Ukraine

Japan provides support for children with disabilities in Ukraine [Podcast Episode]

Japan has provided rehabilitation equipment to Ukraine to help support children with disabilities. More than 130 items are being delivered to the capital city of Kyiv through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The gear includes electric wheelchairs, and robot suits, which help wearers move their lower limbs with less effort. A handover ceremony was held at the rehabilitation center for children with disabilities in Kyiv on Tuesday 22nd July. Some children tried out the devices.