Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
Disability North Korea

Defector Talks About Stigma People with Disabilities Experience in North Korea

Maeng Hyo-shim was born and raised in North Korea before she and her family defected in 2018. She graduated from high school in South Korea and is currently attending Seoul Women’s University. She works to raise awareness within the international community about the human rights situation in North Korea and was recently interviewed by NHK on the situation people with disabilities face in North Korea.

Alzheimer’s Dementia Japan Medical

Loss of Immune-Regulating Protein Eases Alzheimer’s Disease, Research By Kyoto University Finds

The loss of a certain immune-regulating protein in the brain leads to a decrease in the levels of amyloid beta, which causes Alzheimer’s disease, and improves cognitive function, a group of researchers including from Kyoto University has found. The group confirmed that the TIM-3 protein, which exists in microglia, a type of immune cell in the brain, increases as the brain ages. When it removed the protein from a mouse with Alzheimer’s disease by genetic modification, the accumulation of amyloid beta decreased by 50 to 60 pct, and the mouse showed an improvement in cognitive function.

Barrier Free Entertainment Mental Health Podcast

‘Departures’ Actress Ryōko Hirosue Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Suspends “all entertainment activities” [Podcast Episode]

Actress Ryoko Hirosue has announced a suspension of all entertainment activities after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and hyperthyroidism, following hospitalization in Tokyo. The announcement comes after an incident in April where she was involved in a car accident and allegedly kicked a nurse, leading to her arrest and an ongoing police investigation. Her agency confirmed that she will continue outpatient treatment and focus on her recovery, while also cooperating fully with authorities, stating they do not attribute her actions solely to her illness and are committed to responding sincerely.

Birth Rate Children Holidays Japan Podcast

Golden Week ‘Shogai Podcast Shorts’ 4: Greenery Day Observed [Podcast Episode]

The estimated number of children under 15 in Japan as of April 1 fell by 350,000 from a year before to 13.66 million, down for the 44th consecutive year, the internal affairs ministry said Sunday. The country’s child population hit the lowest level since comparable data became available in 1950. The ministry released the data a day before Children’s Day.

Disability Elderly Imperial Family Japan

Emperor Emeritus to Be Hospitalized for Heart Tests

Japanese Emperor Emeritus Akihito will be admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital in the Japanese capital’s Bunkyo Ward from Tuesday for heart tests, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday. With no symptoms, the Emperor Emeritus had continued his routine morning and evening walks until Sunday, but skipped the morning walk on Monday. He also decided to postpone a plan to stay at the Hayama Imperial Villa with Empress Emerita Michiko from Thursday.

Disability Entertainment Japan Mental Health

‘Departures’ Actress Ryōko Hirosue Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Suspends “all entertainment activities”

Actress Ryoko Hirosue has announced a suspension of all entertainment activities after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and hyperthyroidism, following hospitalization in Tokyo. The announcement comes after an incident in April where she was involved in a car accident and allegedly kicked a nurse, leading to her arrest and an ongoing police investigation. Her agency confirmed that she will continue outpatient treatment and focus on her recovery, while also cooperating fully with authorities, stating they do not attribute her actions solely to her illness and are committed to responding sincerely.

Abuse Children Japan Podcast Welfare

Golden Week ‘Shogai Podcast Shorts’ 3: Children’s Day [Podcast Episode]

The legislation for revisions to child welfare and other laws in Japan is designed to make it easier to restrict meetings of parents with their children under the protection of child consultation centers. Following the revisions, it will be possible to place such restrictions on parents and other guardians in cases in which abuse is suspected but not yet officially recognized. This will help prevent centers from falling into trouble with parents.