Category: Autism

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Autism Crime Japan Podcast

Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Autistic Defendant over Fatal Crossbow Attack in Japan [Podcast Episode]

Japanese public prosecutors on Wednesday 15th October sought the death penalty for Hideaki Nozu, who has been charged with killing three members of his family with a crossbow at his home in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, in June 2020.The prosecution said that Nozu’s autism spectrum disorder did not significantly affect his motivation and that his acts were planned. The defendant maintained the capacity to control his actions and was fully competent, as he hesitated to carry out his plan, it said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 20, 2025 1
Autism Crime Japan

Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Autistic Defendant over Fatal Crossbow Attack in Japan

Japanese public prosecutors on Wednesday sought the death penalty for Hideaki Nozu, who has been charged with killing three members of his family with a crossbow at his home in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, in June 2020.The prosecution said that Nozu’s autism spectrum disorder did not significantly affect his motivation and that his acts were planned. The defendant maintained the capacity to control his actions and was fully competent, as he hesitated to carry out his plan, it said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 2, 2025 Number of comments0
Autism Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Podcast

“I’m in shock”: Autistic Man in Hiroshima Mistaken for Molester, Reported to Police [Podcast Episode]

A mother in Hiroshima reported that her 21-year-old autistic son was mistakenly accused of groping on a bus after failing to respond to a woman’s request to move, highlighting how individuals with developmental disabilities are often misjudged due to difficulties with communication and social cues; although the police confirmed no wrongdoing through surveillance footage, the emotional impact remains, prompting calls for greater public awareness and understanding—especially through visible aids like the “Help Mark”—to prevent such distressing incidents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 30, 2025 1
Autism Disability Discrimination Japan

“I’m in shock”: Autistic Man in Hiroshima Mistaken for Molester, Reported to Police

A mother in Hiroshima reported that her 21-year-old autistic son was mistakenly accused of groping on a bus after failing to respond to a woman’s request to move, highlighting how individuals with developmental disabilities are often misjudged due to difficulties with communication and social cues; although the police confirmed no wrongdoing through surveillance footage, the emotional impact remains, prompting calls for greater public awareness and understanding—especially through visible aids like the “Help Mark”—to prevent such distressing incidents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 27, 2025 1
ADHD Autism developmental disabilities Intellectual disabilities Japan

Amidst Controversy Over Book Depicting Neurodivergent People as Animals, Publisher Changes Author’s Credentials

In the pre-release book that the Mainichi Shimbun obtained by the 18th, Kanda’s title was listed as “industrial counselor,” but by the 23rd, the title had been changed to “psychological counselor” on the website and mail-order site of the publisher, Mikasa Shobo. According to the Japan Association of Industrial Counselors, which administers the qualification exam for industrial counselors, Kanda is not currently registered as an industrial counselor. Kanda passed the “industrial counselor” qualification, a certification given by the former Ministry of Labor, in January 1999, and considering that “the author has been displaying this qualification for about 30 years, long before the association registered the trademark,” she initially used this title in the publication.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 21, 2025 Number of comments0
ADHD Autism Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan

Ahead of Going On Sale Publisher of Controversial Book Depicting Neurodivergent People as Animals and as ‘Difficult’ Responds to Criticism

Publisher Mikasa Shobo released a press statement on April 18th addressing the criticisms of the book ‘Psychological Techniques to Skillfully Handle Difficult People in the Workplace” by Yuko Kanda ahead of its publication on April 22nd.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 21, 2025 Number of comments0
ADHD Autism Barrier Free Discrimination Japan Podcast Work

“ASD is a sloth, ADHD is a monkey”: New Book by Japanese Counselor Classifying Autistic People as Animals Sparks Controversy [Podcast Episode]

A new book by the counselor Yuko Kanda, that categorizes people suffering from conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, depression, and trauma disorders as animals — and portrays them as “troublesome people in the workplace” — is drawing strong backlash for promoting discriminatory views. The book claims to be packed with “techniques for winning without fighting.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 19, 2025 2
ADHD Autism Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Work

“ASD is a sloth, ADHD is a monkey, trauma disorder is a sheep” New Book by Japanese Counselor Classifying Neurodivergent People as Animals Sparks Controversy

A new book by the counselor Yuko Kanda that categorizes people suffering from conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, depression, and trauma disorders as animals — and portrays them as “troublesome people in the workplace” — is drawing strong backlash for promoting discriminatory views. The book claims to be packed with “techniques for winning without fighting.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 18, 2025 Number of comments0
ADHD Autism Education Japan Musashino Higashi Gakuen Podcast

Scandal-Hit ‘Inclusive’ Tokyo School Files Suit Against Parents Association and Reporter After Concerns Raised Over New Chairman [Podcast Episode]

On April 15th, Musashino Higashi Gakuen, an educational corporation based in Tokyo renowned for its inclusive educational model, filed a lawsuit seeking 725.72 million yen in damages. The lawsuit names several defendants, including individuals affiliated with an association purporting to protect the school, parents and guardians of graduates from its advanced vocational school, along with a reporter from the ‘Weekly Bunshun.’