Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Children Health Japan

Children with Tooth Cavities at Record Low in Japan, Eyesight Continues to Deteriorate

The proportion of children with tooth cavities in Japan hit a record low in fiscal 2024, apparently reflecting advice on tooth brushing and other related initiatives at schools, a survey by the health ministry showed Wednesday. Meanwhile, children’s vision continued to deteriorate. The proportion of children whose vision was less than 20/20 stood at 36.84 pct at elementary schools, 60.61 pct at junior high schools and 71.06 pct at high schools, all the highest on record except for fiscal 2020 to fiscal 2023, when the survey period was different.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Health Japan Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Podcast

The Saga of “Scandal-Tainted Kobayashi Pharma Co” Continues [Podcast Episode]

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. said on Friday March 22nd 2024 it will voluntarily recall some 300,000 packs of five supplement products in Japan after reports of health damage suffered by users. The Osaka-based company said in March 2024 that 13 people had developed kidney disease and other symptoms after taking the products, advertised as foods with functional claims, including three containing “beni koji,” rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a species of mold that is red.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 8, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Disability Hearing Impaired Japan

Osaka High Court finalizes full lost earnings ruling for deceased girl with disability

A Japanese high court has finalized a ruling recognizing that the estimated lost earnings of a girl with a hearing impairment who died in an accident should be considered at the same level as for people without disabilities. Ide Ayuka was 11 years old when she was fatally struck by a power shovel that ran onto a sidewalk in Osaka City in 2018. She had been attending a school for children with hearing impairments. The ruling was finalized as the driver and the company did not appeal by the Tuesday 4 February deadline.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Japan Nursing Care

Japan to Allow Foreigners to Engage in Home Care Services

The Japanese government Thursday presented to an experts panel a plan to allow foreign nationals to engage in home care services under the country’s specified skilled worker program as part of efforts to alleviate severe labor shortages. The government also proposed easing regulations so that more foreigners can work in the restaurant industry and at manufacturers of industrial products, which are also struggling with manpower shortages.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast

Fear of Shaming May Cause Hesitancy in Making Compensation Claims for Japan’s 25,000 Forced Sterilization Victims [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s government says roughly 25,000 people are eligible for compensation as victims of forced sterilization or their bereaved relatives. It is believed that some of them may hesitate to apply due to fear of discrimination or may be unable to do so because of their disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 6, 2025 1
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan

As Japan starts accepting compensation applications from roughly 25,000 eugenics victims, fear of discrimination and inability to apply to due impairment may cause hesitancy

Japan’s government says roughly 25,000 people are eligible for compensation as victims of forced sterilization or their bereaved relatives. It is believed that some of them may hesitate to apply due to fear of discrimination or may be unable to do so because of their disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 5, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Education Intellectual disabilities Podcast SNS Social Media

Disabled student filmed in school toilet, serious bullying incident in Mie Prefecture [Podcast Episode]

It has been revealed that in October last year, a male student with a disability attending a special needs school in Mie Prefecture was filmed in a school toilet by two high school students and posted on social media, causing him to miss school for an extended period of time, and the school has determined that this constitutes a serious case of bullying. According to the Mie Prefectural Board of Education, in October last year, a male student with an intellectual disability (then 17) attending a special needs school, which is attached to a prefectural high school in the prefecture, was filmed in a shared toilet stall by two male high school students and posted on the social media site Instagram.