Category: Blind

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 22, 2025 1
Barrier Free Blind Japan

“We are being left behind”: Visually Impaired People in Japan Struggle with Digitalization

Toyoharu Yoshiizumi (67), head of the information department at the Japan Federation of Organizations of the Visually Impaired (and himself visually impaired), pointed out, “As digitalization progresses, we are being left behind.” He said the increase in unmanned stores is also a concern, saying, “Without store clerks, reasonable consideration cannot be given. I think it is difficult for businesses, but I would like them to improve the environment so that visually impaired people can use the facilities.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 19, 2025 Number of comments0
Blind Crime Disability Japan Podcast Relationships

Japan’s Disability Dating App Scammers: Man with Visual Impairment Speaks Out [Podcast Episode] 

In the wake of three employees being arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for luring a man they met through a matching app to a restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo, forcing him to pay 1.1 million yen in cash and other charges in a scam; a man in his 20s who was a victim of the “rip-off” scam by the recently arrested group spoke to NHK. The man has a level two visual impairment and usually uses a white cane when walking outside.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 17, 2025 1
Blind Crime Dating Disability Japan

Japan’s Disability Dating App Scammers: Man with Visual Impairment Speaks Out

In the wake of three employees being arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for luring a man they met through a matching app to a restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo, forcing him to pay 1.1 million yen in cash and other charges in a scam; a man in his 20s who was a victim of the “rip-off” scam by the recently arrested group spoke to NHK. The man has a level two visual impairment and usually uses a white cane when walking outside.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Japan Podcast Police

Yokohama Couple with Visual Impairments File Damages Lawsuit After Police Officers Enter Their Home Without Permission [Podcast Episode]

In the appeal trial of a lawsuit where a visually impaired couple residing in Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, is seeking damages from the prefectural police, alleging that police officers entered their home without permission, the prefectural police have newly asserted that “(even without sight) the movements of police officers can be understood by the sounds of their equipment.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 9, 2025 1
Blind Crime Disability Japan

Yokohama Couple Files Damages Lawsuit: Police Officers Enter Visually Impaired Person’s Home Without Permission

In the appeal trial of a lawsuit where a visually impaired couple residing in Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, is seeking damages from the prefectural police, alleging that police officers entered their home without permission, the prefectural police have newly asserted that “(even without sight) the movements of police officers can be understood by the sounds of their equipment.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 3, 2024 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Japan Welfare

New Okinawa volunteer group established to support use of smartphones and apps by visually impaired

A new volunteer group has been established to support the use of smartphones and apps in an effort to eliminate the information gap caused by visual impairment. Izumi Yoshi, representative of the Prefectural Visually Impaired Support Center said: “We provide telephone support, but if you have any problems, please feel free to contact us.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 20, 2024 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Japan Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 Technology

Developer with Visual Impairment to Introduce “AI Suitcase” to Enable Blind People at Kansai-Osaka Expo

Chieko Asakawa, IBM Fellow and director of the Miraikan (Tokyo) National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, who develops technology to support the visually impaired, gave a lecture at Kyoto Lighthouse in Kita-ku, Kyoto City. She touched on her latest projects, such as the “AI suitcase” that will be tested at next year’s Osaka-Kansai Expo.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Blind Japan Travel

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Seeks to Interview People with Visual Impairments Who Fell from Station Platforms

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is interviewing visually impaired people who have fallen from station platforms about the circumstances of the fall in order to raise awareness among related parties and prevent the recurrence of falls by visually impaired people from station platforms. The information the ministry obtains will be made public if the consent of the interviewee(s) is given.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 16, 2024 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Japan Podcast

Man arrested for allegedly assaulting visually impaired man in accessible toilet at Jimbocho Station, Tokyo [Podcast Episode]

A 34-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a visually impaired man by kicking him with his foot in the multipurpose restroom at Jimbocho Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line in Tokyo. The suspect Ikeda admitted to the investigation that he “felt rushed” and admitted to the charges.