Category: Barrier Free

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 11, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Kumamoto Welfare

Kumamoto City Investigates Disability Allowance Re-certification Procedures After “bedridden” Resident Had Welfare Payments Stopped

According to the Kumamoto Ombudsman, the recipient was bedridden and unable to visit a medical institution for an examination, yet the city suspended the allowance on the grounds that the required medical certificate had not been submitted. The Ombudsman pointed out that the recipient’s relatives had consulted the city about alternative means of completing the procedure, but the city had not accepted those requests.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 10, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Japan Railway Company QR Code Technology Travel

JR East to Shift from Magnetic to QR Code Tickets in 2027

East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, said on Tuesday 9th June that it will discontinue magnetic short-distance tickets sold at all stations on its conventional lines and replace them with QR code tickets in spring 2027. While the current tickets are inserted into fare gates, the new tickets will require passengers to read QR codes on them at readers at the gates.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 6, 2026 2
Barrier Free Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Paralympics Sports

Summer Special Olympics Showcase an Inclusive Society in Tokyo as National Games for Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities Open

The opening ceremony for the 9th Special Olympics Japan Summer National Games, which brings together athletes with intellectual disabilities, was held on the 5th at Toyota Arena Tokyo in Koto Ward, Tokyo. About 1,200 athletes from all 47 prefectures are taking part, supported by a cumulative total of approximately 3,300 volunteers. The sporting event, which aims to embody an inclusive society where people live together regardless of disability, officially got underway.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 27, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Sagamihara

Sagamihara City staff attend disability awareness training course [Podcast Episode]

During the roughly 45-minute session, the employees watched videos created in collaboration with organizations for people with disabilities to learn about the specific challenges faced by individuals with visual, hearing, and other impairments. In group workshops, they discussed what kind of assistance they could provide in daily life.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 18, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan SNS Social Media

Japanese Disability Advocate Hirotada Ototake Questions Ranking Disabilities by Hierarchy in Social Media [Podcast Episode]

Hirotada Ototake, who was born with a congenital condition resulting in the absence of limbs (“tetra-amelia”), quoted a post by a user who argued that support for people with mental disabilities should be prioritized over that for those with physical disabilities. He commented, “These kinds of ‘misery comparisons’ or ‘pulling each other down’ are not only meaningless, but actually counterproductive.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 16, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan SNS Social Media

Japanese Disability Advocate Hirotada Ototake Questions Ranking Disabilities by Hierarchy in Social Media

Ototake, who was born with a congenital condition resulting in the absence of limbs (“tetra-amelia”), quoted a post by a user who argued that support for people with mental disabilities should be prioritized over that for those with physical disabilities. He commented, “These kinds of ‘misery comparisons’ or ‘pulling each other down’ are not only meaningless, but actually counterproductive.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 24, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Housing Japan Podcast

People with disabilities in Japan face persistent barriers to housing, accommodation [Podcast Episode]

People with disabilities in Japan continue to face significant barriers in securing housing and accommodation, with multiple recent cases highlighting concerns over discrimination, limited legal enforcement, and a lack of understanding among property owners and service providers.