Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 30, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Politics

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori Causes Controversy With Comments About Walking Canes

Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (85) gave a speech at a ceremony held in Kanazawa City on 29th October to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Kanazawa Medical University, where he mentioned that he uses a walking stick and said: ‘When I use a stick, I look like a disabled person and people take good care of me. The comment could be seen as an attempt to ridicule the disabled and is likely to cause controversy.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 24, 2022 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Japan Sagamihara

Accounts of alleged abuse at Sagamihara care facility “rewritten” to make them “non-problematic”

Officials reported to the city that they were trying to cover up suspicion of abuse by falsifying records, but the city decided that there was no problem after hearing from the agency. The business group is fully funded by the city, and the chairman of the board is a former executive of the city.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 22, 2022 1
Disability

Severely disabled Diet member Daisuke Tenbata criticizes measures for people with disabilities, calling them “paternalistic”

Reiwa Shinsengumi’s Daisuke Tenbata, who has a severe disability, asked Prime Minister Kishida about policies for persons with disabilities at the House of Councilors Budget Committee through an interpreter. Tenbata criticized it harshly for being “paternalistic” and elicited promises from the Prime Minister to meet and listen to the parties concerned.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 20, 2022 1
Intellectual disabilities Japan

20 year old resident of Chiba care facility for the disabled missing since October 16th

According to the police, Takebata has a severe intellectual disability and she cannot speak. Around midnight on the 16th, Takehata was seen on the security camera in the facility. Takebata lived in a private room on the second floor, and the entrance to the facility was locked. She found a window in the second-floor corridor open, and it is believed that she went outside through this window.

Takebata is about 170 cm tall and has short black hair. She wore a blue T-shirt, gray shorts, and blue sandals.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 17, 2022 1
Assisted Living Disability Independent Living Japan

People with disabilities in Japan to be ‘de-institutionalised’ as support for living in the community amended bill finalized

Compared to other countries, Japan has more people with disabilities living in institutions and hospitals, which is regarded as a challenge. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare intends to amend the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and the Mental Health Welfare Act to promote the transition to community life and put in place a system.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 15, 2022 1
Disability J-Pop Japan

Tokyo Metropolitan Government asks J-Pop singer to take “immediate action” after album cover resembles ‘help mark’ for people with disabilities

Popular singer Ringo Sheena (43) created a special mark for her new album because it closely resembles the “help mark” to make it easier for people with disabilities to receive help. It was learned on the 14th that the metropolitan government had asked the record company, which sold the album, to take immediate action.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 14, 2022 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Elderly Japan

Japan to encourage online medical care as COVID, flu spread in winter

Japan’s health ministry said Thursday those at low risk of developing serious coronavirus symptoms will be encouraged to use at-home test kits and online medical services this winter, when COVID-19 and seasonal influenza are expected to spread simultaneously.

The measures, which assume a peak of 750,000 cases per day, seek to lessen the burden on hospitals and prioritize medical care for the elderly amid warnings of another surge of viruses during the upcoming colder months.