Category: Barrier Free

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan Railway Company

As Employment of Disabled Reaches Record High in Japan, JR Subsidiary Seeks to Ensure Disabled have Contact with Customers

As JR East promoted the employment of people with disabilities, they realized that many workplaces had no contact with the outside world. So, starting in the summer of 2023, JR East decided to have people with disabilities serve customers in a food truck. In December 2024, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s Tokyo Labor Bureau released the results of a survey on the employment status of people with disabilities. The number of people with disabilities employed by private companies reached a record high of 251,901 (a 5.3% increase from the previous year). Meanwhile, 17,369 companies in Tokyo have not met the legal employment rate, and of these, 9,785 companies do not employ any people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 29, 2024 2
Barrier Free Deaf Disability Imperial Family Japan

Japan Federation of the Deaf Employee Princess Kako Turns 30

Japanese Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 30 on Sunday. As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year, while working twice a week since April at the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, which she joined as a part-time employee in 2021.

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 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 7, 2024 1
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.