Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
Dementia Elderly Japan Missing Podcast Yasuko Arakawa

Woman with Dementia, Yasuko Arakawa is Missing 「荒川泰子さんが行方不明です。」[Podcast Episode]

Over a year has passed since Yasuko Arakawa, who had been diagnosed with an early-onset type of dementia, disappeared from their home in the western Japan city of Yonago on August 8th 2023. Her husband Tsutomu is desperately seeking any information on her whereabouts.  

荒川泰子さんは2023年8月8日、西日本の米子市の自宅から姿を消して以来、早期発症型認知症と診断されていた彼女の行方は、1年以上経ってもわかっていません。夫の勉さんは、彼女の行方に関する情報を必死に求めています。

Disability Elderly Health Japan

Elderly at higher risk of winter ‘heat shock’ deaths when bathing; Japan expert shares tips

Wintry temperatures have arrived in the Japanese capital and surrounding Kanto region. It’s the season when taking a bath can feel good, but that also means a higher risk of accidents, so experts are advising vigilance against so-called “heat shock”: sudden changes in blood pressure that can make someone lose consciousness or suffer a stroke.

Dementia Japan Missing Yasuko Arakawa

Yasuko Arakawa is Missing 「荒川泰子さんが行方不明です。」

Over a year has passed since Yasuko Arakawa, who had been diagnosed with an early-onset type of dementia, disappeared from their home in the western Japan city of Yonago on August 8th 2023. Her husband Tsutomu is desperately seeking any information on her whereabouts.

荒川泰子さんは2023年8月8日、西日本の米子市の自宅から姿を消して以来、早期発症型認知症と診断されていた彼女の行方は、1年以上経ってもわかっていません。夫の勉さんは、彼女の行方に関する情報を必死に求めています。

Barrier Free Disability Japan Robotics Technology

Trial event held in Miyazaki for people with disabilities with difficulties going outside in using an ‘avatar robot’

A trial event was held in Miyakonojo City to let many people know about “avatar robots,” which allow people with disabilities or other reasons to remotely control a robot to connect with society. The robot introduced was a small humanoid robot called “OriHime” equipped with a camera and microphone. People who have difficulty going out due to disabilities or serious illnesses can remotely control it to talk to people. On the 5th, a trial event was held at the Miyakonojo City Museum of Art, and “Hina,” a woman in her 20s from Miyazaki City who operates the “avatar robot,” interacted with visitors.

Crime Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast

Forced Sterilization Plaintiff Yumi Suzuki Named an “Influential and inspiring woman” by the BBC [Podcast Episode]

Yumi Suzuki, one of the plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenics protection law was selected for the BBC’s annual list of “influential and inspiring women” around the world on Tuesday 3rd December. The theme of this year’s selection was “resilience,” highlighting the women who “are pushing for change and improving lives at community or global level.”

Care Disability Japan Ukraine

Japan provides support for people with disabilities in Ukraine

Japan has provided Ukraine with rehabilitation equipment and welfare vehicles to support senior citizens and people with disabilities. The items will be delivered to 11 facilities in the Kyiv region through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. In the Kyiv region, the number of people with disabilities has risen by 14,000 since the invasion began.

Disability Forced Sterilization Japan

Forced Sterilization Plaintiff Yumi Suzuki Named an “Influential and inspiring woman” by the BBC

Yumi Suzuki, one of the plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenics protection law was selected for the BBC’s annual list of “influential and inspiring women” around the world on Tuesday. The theme of this year’s selection was “resilience,” highlighting the women who “are pushing for change and improving lives at community or global level.”