Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
Crime Disability Japan Niigata Sexual abuse

Former Niigata NPO employee sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman with a disability

Takuya Hosokai (44), a former employee of an NPO that supports people with disabilities, was charged with sexually assaulting and filming women with disabilities while transporting them between 2019 and the year before last. Among these incidents, he was specifically charged for sexually assaulting and injuring a woman in a parking lot in Sanjo City in December 2023.

Disability Disasters Elderly Japan

Japan Eyeing IT to Help Those Needing Assistance in Disasters

Japan is increasingly adopting information technology to help those in need of assistance in times of disasters, such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Major electronics maker NEC Corp. and disaster management advisory firm Tokio Marine Resilience Co. conducted a test with the western Tokyo city of Tama late last month of a system to confirm the safety of those in need of support during disasters. Under the system, those who provide evacuation support receive requests on their smartphones for safety checks when local governments issue evacuation-related information.

Abilympics Barrier Free Disability Japan Kyoto

Kyoto Abilympics showcase vocational skills of people with disabilities

The “Kyoto Abilympics,” an event which enables people with disabilities in Kyoto Prefecture to demonstrate their vocational skills, was recently held at Kyoto prefectural technical college and Kyoto technical college for the disabled in Fushimi Ward. Approximately 70 participants, ranging from students at special needs schools to working adults, showcased their abilities in 12 different categories, highlighting their dedication and daily practice.

Crime Film Japan Sexual abuse Shiori Ito

Japan Oscar-nominated film to be reedited amid legal concerns

Japanese journalist Shiori Ito, who directed an Academy Award-nominated documentary about her own sexual assault case, said Thursday that she will reedit part of the film to address allegations that the film includes unauthorized content. The documentary, “Black Box Diaries,” has been screened in over 50 overseas countries and regions since its world premiere at a film festival in January last year but not yet in Japan due to legal concerns.

Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast

78-year-old Chiba father pleads guilty to murder of disabled 44-year-old son saying “I did nothing wrong” [Podcast Episode]

At the first hearing of the lay judge trial held at the Chiba District Court on February 17th, the defendant admitted to the charges, saying, “I did nothing wrong.” The defense responded by arguing that the father had reached his limit with caring for his son, and that the sentence should be considered in light of the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan

78-year-old Chiba father pleads guilty to murder of disabled 44-year-old son saying “I did nothing wrong”

At the first hearing of the lay judge trial held at the Chiba District Court on the 17th, the defendant admitted to the charges, saying, “I did nothing wrong.” The defense responded by arguing that the father had reached his limit with caring for his son, and that the sentence should be considered in light of the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Crime Japan

Man sentenced to 10 years for pipe bomb attack on former PM Kishida

A Japanese court sentenced a man to 10 years in prison on Wednesday for the attempted murder in 2023 of then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in a pipe bomb attack at an election event. In the trial at the Wakayama District Court, prosecutors sought 15 years in prison for Ryuji Kimura, 25, for attempting to kill Kishida and others when he hurled a homemade explosive device at the premier as he approached a crowd for a stump speech in the western Japan city of Wakayama in April 2023.

Barrier Free Disability Japan NHK Podcast toi-toi

New ‘Welfare’ NHK E TV Programme ‘toi-toi’ to Start in April 2025, Replacing ‘NHK Baribara’ [Podcast Episode]

NHK E will begin airing a ‘welfare’ TV Programme on NHK E called ‘toi-toi’ from April 2025.​ On January 7th 2025, it was announced on the official website that NHK Educational TV’s barrier-free variety show “Baribara” (broadcast on Thursdays 8pm) would end in March 2025. However, it promised a replacement in the TV schedule. According to the NHK E Website ‘toi-toi’ is a “new welfare program where everyone thinks about the “question” that a person has had deep in their heart. The protagonist who posed the “question” explores the “question” while talking to people with diverse perspectives. We will search for clues to realize a world where we accept differences and live together.” ‘toi-toi’ will be broadcast on NHK E on Thursdays at 8PM.