Crime – Page 3 – Barrier Free Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 24, 2026 1

Fired After Reporting Abuse, Care Worker Awarded 4.8 Million Yen

A former support staff member at a disability workshop in Kodaira, Tokyo, who was dismissed after reporting alleged abuse by colleagues and a senior executive, reached a court-mediated settlement in 2024 with the operating social welfare corporation. The staff member had filed suit at the Tokyo District Court, arguing the dismissal was retaliation for whistleblowing in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. Under the settlement, the corporation retracted the dismissal and paid 4.8 million yen. Municipal authorities later recognized abuse by around 10 staff members, and the Tokyo metropolitan government issued administrative guidance to the corporation over excessive welfare payments.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 24, 2026 0

Abuse Care Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast Sexual abuse

Tokyo Disability Facility Worker Says They Were Fired After Reporting Abuse [Podcast Episode]

A Tokyo care worker who worked as a support staff member at a workshop for people with disabilities said she witnessed repeated physical and verbal abuse of service users by colleagues shortly after starting her job in 2019. The alleged misconduct extended beyond frontline staff to a male executive of the operating social welfare corporation, who she said repeatedly grabbed the groins of male users with intellectual disabilities when they did not comply with instructions, Identified by a pseudonym as Yoshimi Kurita, said they reported the abuse multiple times to the corporation’s executives, but the corporation“turned a blind eye.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 22, 2026 0

Crime Japan Medical

Ex-Japan Cancer Center Doctor Cleared in Bribery Case

Tokyo District Court on Friday acquitted a former department chief at the National Cancer Center Japan, ruling that no intent on his part could be established in an alleged medical device bribery case. Defendant Yusuke Hashimoto, 49, former head of hepatobiliary and pancreatic oncology at the National Cancer Center Hospital East, was accused of receiving a total of 3.15 million yen in cash transfers from Zeon Medical Inc., a Tokyo-based medical device maker, in June 2020 and May 2021.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 22, 2026 0

Care Crime Disability Japan Podcast

Two Arrested Over Alleged Assault of 17-Year-Old at Aichi Disability Home [Podcast Episode]

Two male staff members in their 20s have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old male resident at a facility for people with disabilities in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, including kicking him in the face. Both suspects have admitted to the allegations, and police are investigating the circumstances and motives that led to the incident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 21, 2026 1

Care Crime Disability Japan

Two Arrested Over Alleged Assault of 17-Year-Old at Aichi Disability Home

Two male staff members in their 20s have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old male resident at a facility for people with disabilities in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, including kicking him in the face. Both suspects have admitted to the allegations, and police are investigating the circumstances and motives that led to the incident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 17, 2026 0

Abuse Crime Disability Japan

Mother Ordered to Pay ¥30M in Abuse Damages Causing Mental Disorders

A lawsuit in which a 36-year-old man from Kanagawa Prefecture sought damages from his mother, claiming that abuse he suffered as a child caused him to develop mental disorders that left him unable to work, resulted in the Yokohama District Court recognizing the causal link between the abuse and his inability to maintain employment and ordering the mother to pay approximately ¥35.45 million in compensation, it was learned on the 16th. The ruling was dated Jan. 27.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 16, 2026 0

Crime Japan Osaka

Harassment of a Woman May Be Behind Osaka Stabbing

A dispute stemming from alleged harassment of a woman may have triggered an incident in the western Japan city of Osaka at the weekend, in which a teenage male was stabbed to death and two others were injured, investigative sources said Monday. The suspect is believed to have engaged in nuisance behavior toward a woman acquainted with the victims shortly before the attack, which happened at the entrance of a building in the city’s Dotonbori downtown district late Saturday night, according to the sources.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2026 1

Crime Disability Japan Mental Health

1 dead, 2 injured in stabbing in Osaka, suspect arrested

A 17-year-old boy was killed, and two other boys were injured after they were stabbed in Osaka’s busy Dotombori shopping area late Saturday, police said. A man in his 20s was arrested Sunday on suspicion of murder after fleeing the scene on foot, according to an investigative source. Police said they were informed that he knew the three victims and they had a dispute shortly before the attack.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 11, 2026 0

Care Crime Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Podcast

Chiba disability group home resident dies; former representative arrested [Podcast Episode]

Police in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, plan to arrest a man in his 30s who formerly headed a disability group home on suspicion of assault resulting in death after a 19-year-old male resident with an intellectual disability died under suspicious circumstances in 2025. Investigators believe the former representative assaulted the resident, leading to his death, and are also examining possible liability among staff members who allegedly failed to report the abuse despite being aware of it. Police suspect the victim may have been subjected to routine violence and are continuing the investigation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 10, 2026 1

Crime Disability Group Homes (GH) Intellectual disabilities Japan

Chiba Group Home Representative Arrested for Killing 19-Year-Old Man

According to police, the suspect, Yasuki Nemoto, the corporate representative of the disability group home in Kashiwa, is suspected of punching and kicking the resident, Ryuhei Mihara, who had an intellectual disability, in March last year, resulting in his death. In addition, Miki Tobari, who was a staff member at the time, was arrested on suspicion of destroying evidence, including wiping away bloodstains at the scene. Nemoto’s wife was also arrested on suspicion of inciting the destruction of evidence.