Author: Michael Gillan Peckitt

UK & CP born, living in Japan, blogging about disability
by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 28, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Paris Summer Paralympics Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games Wheelchair

Gold-winning Paris Paralympian Tennis Player Tokito Oda Triumphs in First Match Since Games

18-year-old Tokito Oda, who won the gold medal in the men’s singles at the Paris Paralympics, showed his skills by winning his first match after the Games in Tokyo in straight sets 2-0. Oda won a gold medal in men’s singles and a silver medal in men’s doubles at his first Paralympic Games in Paris. Oda, ranked No. 1 in the world, played his first match after the Paralympics in the first round of the men’s wheelchair singles tournament held in Koto-ku, Tokyo, against a Chinese player ranked No. 55 in the world.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 27, 2024 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Japan Podcast

National Network for People with Developmental Disabilities to be Formed [Podcast Episode]

A forum was held in Tokyo on September 22nd to form a national network for people with developmental disabilities, Kyodo News reported. In order to reflect the voices of people with developmental disabilities in national and local government policies, local groups of people with developmental disabilities have decided to form a national network. Representatives of the initiators exchanged opinions on issues such as employment and welfare. A website will be launched within the year and participation will be encouraged.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 26, 2024 1
Barrier Free Dementia Disability Japan Welfare

Central Japan City Creates “Dementia Help Mark”

The central Japan city of Obu, Aichi Prefecture, has created an orange-colored “dementia help mark” to make it easier for people to talk to dementia sufferers in need of support. The step was proposed by Ryuichi Takai, 74, who lost his father with dementia in a train accident. “I hope the help mark will become available nationwide to reduce as much as possible the number of people who have to feel the same kind of grief I did,” Takai said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 25, 2024 Number of comments0
Health Japan Organ Donation

509 Gave Up on Organ Transplants in Japan Last Year

A total of 509 patients in Japan gave up on organ transplant operations last year because hospitals were unable to carry out such procedures, a health ministry survey showed Tuesday. It was the first time the government conducted a fact-finding survey on the matter. A total of 3,706 people could not receive transplant operations last year, including 509 cases caused by reasons attributed to hospitals, such as the lack of hospital staff and insufficient space in intensive care units needed for operations.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 24, 2024 1
developmental disabilities Disability Discrimination Human Rights Japan Politics

National network for people with developmental disabilities will be formed; voices of people with developmental disabilities will be reflected in policies

A forum was held in Tokyo on September 22nd to form a national network for people with developmental disabilities, Kyodo News reported. In order to reflect the voices of people with developmental disabilities in national and local government policies, local groups of people with developmental disabilities have decided to form a national network. The forum was held in Tokyo on the 22nd. Representatives of the initiators exchanged opinions on issues such as employment and welfare. A website will be launched within the year and participation will be encouraged.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 23, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Education Intellectual disabilities Japan Welfare

200,000 Children with Disabilities in “Special Needs Classes” Reports Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in FY2022 Survey

A survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on the 6th revealed that the number of children with disabilities who used “part-time class instruction” at public and private elementary, junior high and high schools, where they are enrolled in regular classes but receive lessons in separate rooms as needed, reached 198,343 in 2022, a new record high. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities advocates “inclusive education,” in which children with disabilities are not separated from other children and students, but Japan’s current situation has been criticized as going against this.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 22, 2024 Number of comments0
Deaf Japan Sign Language

Japan Princess Kako Attends High School Sign Language Contest

Japanese Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, attended a national sign language performance contest for high school students Sunday. 

 “I hope that through this contest, people’s understanding will deepen of various languages including sign language, complete hearing loss and hearing difficulty, and backgrounds and situations different from their own,” she said in sign language at the opening ceremony of the event, held in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 21, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Group Homes (GH) Japan Welfare

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to conduct survey of people with disabilities on waiting list for facilities in October

According to a questionnaire survey conducted by NHK in collaboration with experts this year in all prefectures and municipalities across the country, there are at least 22,000 people with disabilities who wish to use large-scale “residential facilities” or “group homes” where small numbers of people live, but are on waiting list.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 20, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Education Japan Podcast

“You won’t let him go to school”: Hyogo parents and child with disabilities file suit, claiming their “human rights were violated” [Podcast Episode]

On September 17th, two parents and their children in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, filed a human rights complaint with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, claiming that their opinions and those of their guardians were not respected and were harmed during school counselling sessions for their children with disabilities.