Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 20, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan Podcast

Large Number of People with Disabilities in Japan ‘let go’ from Workplaces as Government-aided Employers Close Down [Podcast Episode]

large number of people with disabilities are being let go from workplaces in Japan as government-aided employers which offered them chances to gain skills and knowledge while working have been closing down. Formerly, there were about 4,600 such facilities nationwide. Between March and July this year, this was reduced by more than 160, and around 4,300 people lost their jobs. Usually, between around 1,000 and 3,000 people with disabilities are fired each year.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 19, 2024 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Medical

Kanagawa Prefecture holds first meeting considering measures to address medical issues at sister facility to ‘Sagamihara Massacre’ care home

The first meeting of the “Medical and Health Management Issues Reform Committee,” which will consider measures to address high health risks for residents of Nakai Yamayuri En (Nakai Town), a prefectural facility for the intellectually disabled, was held on December 18th at the prefectural office in Naka Ward, Yokohama. As investigations into cases of abuse of residents at the facility progress, issues such as residents not receiving appropriate medical care have emerged. At the beginning of the meeting, Governor Yuji Kuroiwa said, “A new issue of medical gaps has come to light. We would like to position this as part of the reform of Nakai Yamayuri En.” ‘Nakai Yamayuri En’ is ran by the same company that manages the ‘Tsukui Yamayuri En’ care facility where, in the early hours of July 26th 2016, a former employee broke in and killed 19 residents between the ages of 19 and 70 with a knife, injuring 26 others.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 18, 2024 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan

Fukui Prefecture Takes “administrative action” Over Fraudulent Claims of 7.95 Million Yen in Welfare Benefits for People with Disabilities [Podcast Episode]

On December 13, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, took administrative action under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act to revoke the designation of ‘MIRAI’, a Type B support for continuous employment support facility operated by Imakoko, a general incorporated association in the city, for fraudulently claiming and receiving approximately 7.95 million yen in disability welfare service benefits.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 17, 2024 1
Disability Employment Japan

Large Number of People with Disabilities in Japan ‘let go’ from Workplaces as Government-aided Employers Close Down

A large number of people with disabilities are being let go from workplaces in Japan as government-aided employers which offered them chances to gain skills and knowledge while working have been closing down. The national government should speed up support measures while thinking up systems to protect their employment. Formerly, there were about 4,600 such facilities nationwide. Between March and July this year, this was reduced by more than 160, and around 4,300 people lost their jobs. Usually, between around 1,000 and 3,000 people with disabilities are fired each year, but this year stands greatly apart.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 16, 2024 Number of comments0
Crime Japan Mental Health

Manhunt continues after McDonald’s stabbings leave teen dead in Japan

Police continued their search on Monday for a man believed responsible for the stabbing death of a 15-year-old junior high school girl two days ago at a McDonald’s restaurant in southwestern Japan.

The man, described by witnesses as being around 40 years old, also stabbed a male student who was waiting in line with the female victim, Saaya Nakashima, at the fast-food restaurant in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. The 15-year-old boy, who police did not name, survived but suffered serious injuries.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 15, 2024 1
Care Crime Disability Japan Welfare

Fukui Prefecture Takes “administrative action” Over Fraudulent Claims of 7.95 Million Yen in Welfare Service Benefits for People with Disabilities

On December 13, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, took administrative action under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act to revoke the designation of ‘MIRAI’, a Type B support for continuous employment support facility operated by Imakoko, a general incorporated association in the city, for fraudulently claiming and receiving approximately 7.95 million yen in disability welfare service benefits.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan LGBT Relationships

Japan high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional

The Fukuoka High Court on Friday became the third high court in Japan to rule the country’s lack of legal recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, but upheld a lower court ruling to dismiss plaintiffs’ claim for damages. In the ruling, the court judged for the first time that civil law provisions not allowing same-sex marriage violated Article 13 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to the pursuit of happiness. The court also said the ban violates sections of the Constitution that guarantee equality under the law and upholds individual dignity and the essential equality of both sexes. “There is no longer any reason to not legally recognize marriage between same-sex couples,” Presiding Judge Takeshi Okada said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 12, 2024 1
Abuse Care Disability Hokkaido Japan

After Occurrences of Abuse are Discovered at Sapporo Facility for People with Disabilities, Ward Office Imposes Three-month Suspension on Admitting New Users

The city of Sapporo has taken administrative action to suspend the admission of new users to a disability support facility in Kiyota Ward for three months after two users were beaten and abused by staff at the facility. According to Sapporo City, on July 23rd of this year, a male staff member in his 40s at Sapporo Suginaen punched a male user in his 50s in the face and kicked another user in his 60s in the body. The social welfare corporation Hokushoukai commented, “We take this incident very seriously. We will work sincerely to prevent a recurrence.”