Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
Barrier Free developmental disabilities Disability Education Japan Podcast

Tokyo Ward Launches Free “Five-year-old check-ups” for Early Detection of Developmental Disabilities [Podcast Episode]

A national subsidy system has been launched for “five-year-old health checkups” conducted by local governments. The main aim is to detect developmental disorders early before entering elementary school and connect them to support through medical care, welfare. The results of the checkups are thought to have a bearing on each individual’s schooling.

developmental disabilities Education Japan

Ota Ward, Tokyo Launches Free “Five-year-old check-ups” for Early Detection of Developmental Disorders

A national subsidy system has been launched for “five-year-old health checkups” conducted by local governments. The main aim is to detect developmental disorders early before entering elementary school and connect them to support through medical care, welfare. The results of the checkups are thought to have a bearing on each individual’s schooling. Ota Ward in Tokyo has decided to introduce a free “5-year-old health check” for preschool children. It has already started on a trial basis at nurseries in the ward. The test places more emphasis on mental development than the current school entry health check, takes more time to test. The aim is to lead to early detection and support of developmental disorders. Ota Ward began the trial of five-year-old health checkups in October for some nursery school children. Based on the results, it is considering implementing them for all five-year-olds in 2026.

Abuse Elderly Japan

Childhood Trauma Raises Risk of Elderly Abuse: Study

People with adverse childhood experiences (ACE), such as domestic violence and neglect, are up to 7.65 times more prone to verbally or physically abusing elderly people than those without such experiences are, Japanese researchers have found. The researchers, including Chie Koga, project assistant professor of the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, analyzed answers collected in September-October 2022 in an online survey that asked participants about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives and health. Compared with people without ACEs, the risk of abusing elderly people was 3.22 times higher for respondents who have had at least one type of such experience, such as parental divorce and physical and psychological abuse, and 7.65 times higher for those who have experienced two or more types.

Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast

Violinist with Cerebral Palsy to Perform in Shinagawa During Disabled Persons Week [Podcast Episode]

December 3rd to December 9th every year is Disability Week. The Disabled Persons Week was established by the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities to promote interest and understanding of welfare of persons with disabilities among the public at large, and to promote active participation of persons with disabilities in activities in all fields. Shikimachi Mizuki, a violinist who has cerebral palsy will perform a piece composed for the event, “Barrier-free Heart: Healing Tones”.

Barrier Free Disability Japan

“Gathering to Commemorate Disabled Persons Week” Event to be Held in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo on December 7th 2024

December 3th to December 9th every year is Disability Week. The Disabled Persons Week was established by the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities to promote interest and understanding of welfare of persons with disabilities among the public at large, and to promote active participation of persons with disabilities in activities in all fields. Every year, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo holds a “Gathering to Commemorate Disabled Persons Week” with the hope that as many people as possible will become aware of Disabled Persons Week and that they will take an interest in the welfare of people with disabilities. 

Barrier Free Japan Kyoto

JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – 1 Year Later Update [Podcast Episode]

Back in December 2023, Barrier Free Japan wrote about they often leave Kyoto by JR Kyoto Station and noted that one of JR Kyoto Station’s ‘accessible toilets’ had been ‘out of order’ or ‘unavailable for use’ for weeks. Almost one year later, it remains ‘out of order.’ It might seem a small thing to some, but one wonders how people would react if ‘regular’ – i.e. for non-disabled people – was ‘signed’ as being available but in actuality was permanently ‘out of order’.

Crime Elderly Japan Yakuza

Former yakuza office repurposed to become elderly care facility

A building that used to be one of the main offices of the Kudokai crime syndicate in the city of Kitakyushu is now being used as a welfare facility for the elderly. The driving force behind the abolition of the office in 2011 was a local citizens’ campaign to eradicate the Kudokai, a specified dangerous crime syndicate known for its violent acts. The move later led to a public-private collaboration to crack down on the syndicate in the Kokuraminami ward of Kitakyushu. The building — once the second most important base for the Kudokai after its headquarters, also located in Kitakyushu — now houses a day care center for the elderly called Violin.