Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 14, 2025 Number of comments0
Assassination of Shinzo Abe Crime Disability Japan

Mother of Abe Shooter Yamagami Apologizes in Court

The mother of Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, who is charged with the 2022 murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Nara, western Japan, apologized for the crime committed by her second son as she appeared in court as a defense witness. “I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart for the terrible crime committed by my second son, Tetsuya,” said the mother, a follower of the Unification Church, at the beginning of her testimony at the seventh hearing of his lay-judge trial at Nara District Court.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 14, 2025 Number of comments0
Crime Dementia Disability Elderly Japan

Ex-Policeman Nabbed over Defrauding Person with Dementia

The former officer, Masato Takeuchi, and another suspect arrested over the case, 55-year-old company employee Hiromi Ishichi, are apparently denying the allegations.
   Takeuchi is a board member of a Kyoto-based group, mainly comprising former police officers, that provides daily assistance to elderly people with dementia. The police believe the two suspects withdrew several million yen in cash using the victim’s card.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 14, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Japan Para Sports Paralympics

Tokyo Gears Up for Japan’s First Deaflympics with Push for Accessibility [Podcast Episode]

Japan is preparing to host its first-ever Deaflympics from Nov. 15 to 26, with events held in Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Fukushima, and Narita airport stepping up accessibility measures for the thousands of athletes and visitors expected from around 80 countries. The airport has introduced pictogram signage, written communication tools, and staff training sessions led by people with hearing impairments to improve interactions with deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers. Meanwhile, the Tokyo metropolitan government is offering sign language lessons to its employees to ensure smooth event operations and promote greater understanding of the deaf community ahead of the 12-day international sporting event.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 13, 2025 1
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports

Tokyo Gears Up for Japan’s First Deaflympics with Push for Accessibility

Japan is preparing to host its first-ever Deaflympics from Nov. 15 to 26, with events held in Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Fukushima, and Narita airport stepping up accessibility measures for the thousands of athletes and visitors expected from around 80 countries. The airport has introduced pictogram signage, written communication tools, and staff training sessions led by people with hearing impairments to improve interactions with deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers. Meanwhile, the Tokyo metropolitan government is offering sign language lessons to its employees to ensure smooth event operations and promote greater understanding of the deaf community ahead of the 12-day international sporting event.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Nursing Care

Fiscal Panel Calls for Ability-Based Fees for Care Services

A panel under Japan’s Fiscal System Council, which advises the finance minister, proposed Tuesday that nursing care service fees be charged to users based on their ability to pay, as part of reform on the country’s nursing care insurance program. The proposal comes as nursing care costs are estimated to total 14.3 trillion yen in fiscal 2025, about four times the level in 2000, when the program was established.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Crime Disability Japan Podcast

Shiga care worker for disabled arrested with knife will not be prosecuted [Podcast Episode]

The Hikone branch of the Otsu District Public Prosecutors Office announced on the 10th that it has decided not to indict a 70-year-old male care worker from Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. The man had been arrested on suspicion of preparation for murder and violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Act after allegedly hiding a kitchen knife at the welfare facility for people with disabilities in Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, where he worked, with the intent to kill a 44-year-old resident. The prosecutors did not disclose the reason for their decision.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 11, 2025 1
Abuse Care Crime Disability

Attempted murder of a resident at Shiga care facility for people with disabilities; care worker arrested with knife will not be prosecuted

The Hikone branch of the Otsu District Public Prosecutors Office announced on the 10th that it has decided not to indict a 70-year-old male care worker from Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. The man had been arrested on suspicion of preparation for murder and violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Act after allegedly hiding a kitchen knife at the welfare facility for people with disabilities in Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, where he worked, with the intent to kill a 44-year-old resident. The prosecutors did not disclose the reason for their decision.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 10, 2025 1
Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports Sports

Tokyo Govt Conducts Sign Language Lessons ahead of Deaflympics

The Tokyo metropolitan government is making final preparations to host the Deaflympics, known as the Olympics for people with hearing difficulties, from Saturday, such as conducting sign language lessons for its staff. It aims to facilitate the management of the Deaflympics, in which some 3,000 athletes from over 70 countries and regions are slated to compete, by promoting understanding about people with hearing impairments through the lessons. The upcoming Deaflympics will be the first to be held in Japan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Imperial Family Intellectual disabilities Japan

Princess Kako attends ceremony marking 70th anniversary of association for families of people with intellectual disabilities

Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, attended a ceremony in Tokyo’s Ota Ward on Saturday marking the 70th anniversary of the National Federation of Associations for the Welfare of the Mentally Disabled, a group made up of families and supporters of people with intellectual disabilities. Around 2,000 people took part in the event, where Princess Kako expressed her “heartfelt respect” for the attendees and said she hopes understanding of intellectual disabilities will continue to deepen so that “everyone can live with peace of mind.”