Category: Care

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Children Disability Health Japan Welfare

Many Needy Pregnant, Nursing Women Burdened with Living Costs

Some 80 pct of needy pregnant and nursing women in Japan are struggling to secure funds to cover living expenses, according to a survey conducted by Save the Children Japan. By employment status, 49.2 pct were jobless, and 24.8 pct were part-timers. Asked about their financial conditions, 47.6 pct said they were barely making ends meet. Meanwhile, a majority stated that they were short of money, with 29.9 pct saying they are dipping into savings and 21.7 pct saying they are relying on borrowings.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 3, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Children developmental disabilities Disability Japan

“High quality therapeutic care is necessary!”: Kochi Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Concerned Over Facility Closure Plans

There is a growing possibility that the Hata Hope House Daycare Center “Tsukushinbo” in Sukumo City, which provides therapeutic care for children with developmental disabilities, will close at the end of this fiscal year, and parents in the Hata area are calling for reconsideration. According to the social welfare corporation “Tosa Hope House” (Nangoku City), which runs the facility, the reasons for the closure are the long-running deficit and the expected decrease in users. Parents have submitted 6,247 signatures to the corporation, citing the facility as “high quality therapeutic care and necessary for the community,” and calling for its continuation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 29, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Group Homes (GH) Independent Living Japan

Japan Government Forms National Review Committee to Discuss Functions and Roles of Residential Facilities for People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities

While efforts are being made to allow people with disabilities to live in the areas of their choice, a national review committee has begun, consisting of experts and people with disabilities, to discuss the functions and roles of large-scale “residential facilities” where people with severe intellectual disabilities live. Regarding housing for people with disabilities, there has been a shift from residential facilities where dozens of people live together to “group homes” using ordinary houses, and the number of people entering facilities has decreased by more than 6,500 in five years. The study group is scheduled to compile a report by the end of the fiscal year on the future vision for residential facilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Group Homes (GH) Japan Podcast

Okinawa Group Home for People with Disabilities Suspected of Overcharging without Meeting Standards has Designation Revoked [Podcast Episode]

According to the prefecture, from the time the facility was designated as a disability welfare service provider in August two years ago until an audit conducted in November last year, the home had delegated operations to another organization, with the official manager failing to carry out oversight duties. Furthermore, it failed to create individualized support plans for users, among other violations of operational standards.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 24, 2025 1
Care Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Welfare

Okinawa Group Home for People with Disabilities Suspected of Overcharging without Meeting Standards has Designation Revoked

A group home for people with disabilities located in Uruma City has been found to be operating without meeting required standards and allegedly overcharging for service benefits. The prefectural government has announced that it will revoke the facility’s designation as a disability welfare service provider.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Nursing Care

Federation of Nursing Care Providers ‘Disability Welfare Business Division’ Establishes 33rd Branch in Ehime Prefecture

The Ehime branch of a national organization that aims for sustainable welfare for persons with disabilities and improved treatment of care providers has been established. The branch’s general meeting, held in Matsuyama City, was attended by more than 100 people from 75 member care providers. Takayuki Niunoya, Ehime Branch Director said; ”The welfare of our country must be supported by us, the people. I would like to stand at the forefront of this effort with you all.” Ehime is the 33rd branch of the federation in Japan. The prefectural branch will work with other nursing care organizations and local governments in the prefecture to gather the voices of caregivers and make policy proposals to the national government.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Children Day Care Service Disability Japan Podcast

Sendai Parents of Children with Disabilities Call for Increase in Short-term Hospital Beds [Podcast Episode]

An organization made up of parents of severely physically and mentally disabled children receiving medical care at home has requested Sendai City to expand hospital beds and day care services. The organization visited Aoba Ward Office in Sendai City on March 24th and handed in a request letter calling for an increase in short-term hospital beds for severely physically and mentally disabled children and adults who play an important role when their family members are unwell, and an expansion of day care services that they use on a daily basis.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Children Day Care Service Disability Japan

Parents of severely disabled children request Sendai City expand hospital beds and day care services

An organization made up of parents of severely physically and mentally disabled children receiving medical care at home has requested Sendai City to expand hospital beds and day care services. The organization visited Aoba Ward Office in Sendai City on March 24th and handed in a request letter calling for an increase in short-term hospital beds for severely physically and mentally disabled children and adults who play an important role when their family members are unwell, and an expansion of day care services that they use on a daily basis.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 21, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Elderly Health Japan Paid Referrals Podcast

The Saga of ‘Paid Referrals’ of Disability Welfare Services Continues [Podcast Episode]

By March 17th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare had thoroughly informed local governments that it is prohibited for disability welfare service facilities and businesses to pay money or goods to referral companies in return for introducing users to them, as this is a violation of the operating standards. It was originally prohibited to pay referral fees to consultation support specialists who create service usage plans and other disability welfare businesses, but the treatment of the general public and referral companies was unclear, so this was clarified.