Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 4, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Japan’s Barrier-Free Minds on the UN International Day of People with Disabilities

Saturday 3rd of December was the UN International Day of People with Disabilities.

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has established appropriate facilities and equipment such as barrier-free toilets, parking facilities for wheelchair users, elevators in passenger facilities, and priority seats in vehicles so that those who “truly need them” can use them when they need them. The Ministry states that it will carry out a campaign to promote the use of these facilities and promote “barrier-free minds.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 28, 2022 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan

Why is Japan Seemingly Obsessed with “Barrier-Free Minds”?

“Barrier-free minds” is a phrase that various parts of the Japanese government uses often in its various campaigns to raise awareness of disability issues; and of course, raising awareness of the needs of people with disabilities within the non-disabled population of Japan is a positive thing. However sometimes the desire of the Japanese government to talk about “barrier-free minds”, seems to replace any talk or action about developing ‘barrier-free spaces’. It is all very well and good to talk about “barrier-free minds”, but sometimes, people with disabilities need accessible physical spaces, ultimately no ‘positive attitude’ will turn that staircase into an elevator.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 17, 2022 1
Disability Hearing Impaired Japan

In Osaka court, parents seek full damages over death of hearing impaired daughter

In ongoing hearings for a damages lawsuit after a girl with impaired hearing was killed in a traffic accident in 2018, estimating lost wages have become a key point of contention.

At Osaka District Court, the family of the deceased girl, Ayuka Ide, who was 11 years old at the time of the accident, have pressed for her to be treated equally to people without disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 9, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Eugenics Japan LGBT Reiwa Shinsengumi Sagamihara

Member of Japanese Diet with a Disability Compares Views of Parliamentarian who said LGBT people had “no productivity” with Killer of Disabled People

In a questioning session, Tenbata pointed out that “I feel that the basis of the statement that people’s value is evaluated based on their productivity is the same as that of Satoshi Uematsu, a death-row prisoner who caused the ‘Yamayurien Incident’ (in which residents of a facility for the disabled were killed and wounded)”. Sugita said she was “very disappointed that some people have the opinion that I am the same as death row prisoner Uematsu” and added: “I will do my best to realize a society that is close to people with disabilities and enables them to live well. We are still not making enough effort”.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 8, 2022 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Disability Infectious Diseases

Japan Lower House Passes Infectious Disease Law Revision

Japan’s House of Representatives passed on Tuesday a bill to revise the infectious disease prevention law to better prepare for possible future crises caused by such diseases.

The bill, including a new rule obliging key hospitals to secure beds, is expected to be enacted during the current extraordinary Diet session running until December, after being sent to the House of Councillors, the upper chamber.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 6, 2022 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Japan

Significant increase in consultations regarding disability discrimination to Nagano Prefectural Office, “facilitator of dialogue” required

According to the department, around 80% of the consultations are about dissatisfaction with their lives and families. Less than 20% of the consultations were about problems that required a proactive response from the prefecture. Cases of unfair discrimination on the basis of disability and complaints that ‘reasonable consideration’ is not given to remove barriers in daily life and in the use of services are among the most common.