Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 24, 2025 Number of comments0
Elderly Health Japan Medical

Japan Health Insurance Premium Rate to Hit Record High

The National Federation of Health Insurance Societies, or Kenporen, said Wednesday that the average premium rate at corporate health insurance societies in Japan is expected to hit a record high of 9.34 pct in fiscal 2025. The rate is projected to rise 0.03 percentage point from the previous year ended in March, affected by higher contributions to the medical care services for the elderly, according to the group of health insurance societies for employees of large corporations and their families.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Health Hospitals Infectious Diseases Japan

Japan Reports 1st Tally of Acute Respiratory Infection Cases

The number of new cases of acute respiratory infection, or ARI, reported at some 3,000 designated medical institutions across Japan was 181,270 in the week through April 13, a national institute said Tuesday. According to the Japan Institute for Health Security, the number of ARI patients per medical institution in the reporting week stood at 49.39. By prefecture, Tochigi logged the highest figure, at 94.13, and Kochi posted the lowest figure, at 27.37. The number of ARI patients will be released every Tuesday, and the overview of the ARI situation in Japan will be updated every Friday.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 21, 2025 Number of comments0
ADHD Autism Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan

Ahead of Going On Sale Publisher of Controversial Book Depicting Neurodivergent People as Animals and as ‘Difficult’ Responds to Criticism

Publisher Mikasa Shobo released a press statement on April 18th addressing the criticisms of the book ‘Psychological Techniques to Skillfully Handle Difficult People in the Workplace” by Yuko Kanda ahead of its publication on April 22nd.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 21, 2025 Number of comments0
ADHD Autism Barrier Free Discrimination Japan Podcast Work

“ASD is a sloth, ADHD is a monkey”: New Book by Japanese Counselor Classifying Autistic People as Animals Sparks Controversy [Podcast Episode]

A new book by the counselor Yuko Kanda, that categorizes people suffering from conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, depression, and trauma disorders as animals — and portrays them as “troublesome people in the workplace” — is drawing strong backlash for promoting discriminatory views. The book claims to be packed with “techniques for winning without fighting.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 19, 2025 2
ADHD Autism Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Work

“ASD is a sloth, ADHD is a monkey, trauma disorder is a sheep” New Book by Japanese Counselor Classifying Neurodivergent People as Animals Sparks Controversy

A new book by the counselor Yuko Kanda that categorizes people suffering from conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, depression, and trauma disorders as animals — and portrays them as “troublesome people in the workplace” — is drawing strong backlash for promoting discriminatory views. The book claims to be packed with “techniques for winning without fighting.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 19, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Children Disability Japan Welfare

Japan Enacts Bill to Better Protect Kids from Abuse

The legislation for revisions to child welfare and other laws 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.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Nursing Care

Federation of Nursing Care Providers ‘Disability Welfare Business Division’ Establishes 33rd Branch in Ehime Prefecture

The Ehime branch of a national organization that aims for sustainable welfare for persons with disabilities and improved treatment of care providers has been established. The branch’s general meeting, held in Matsuyama City, was attended by more than 100 people from 75 member care providers. Takayuki Niunoya, Ehime Branch Director said; ”The welfare of our country must be supported by us, the people. I would like to stand at the forefront of this effort with you all.” Ehime is the 33rd branch of the federation in Japan. The prefectural branch will work with other nursing care organizations and local governments in the prefecture to gather the voices of caregivers and make policy proposals to the national government.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 18, 2025 Number of comments0
ADHD Autism Education Japan Musashino Higashi Gakuen Podcast

Scandal-Hit ‘Inclusive’ Tokyo School Files Suit Against Parents Association and Reporter After Concerns Raised Over New Chairman [Podcast Episode]

On April 15th, Musashino Higashi Gakuen, an educational corporation based in Tokyo renowned for its inclusive educational model, filed a lawsuit seeking 725.72 million yen in damages. The lawsuit names several defendants, including individuals affiliated with an association purporting to protect the school, parents and guardians of graduates from its advanced vocational school, along with a reporter from the ‘Weekly Bunshun.’