Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 24, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Para Sports Sports

“Photo-Stimulation Start” Used for the First Time at Track and Field Meet for People with Disabilities in Fukuoka

Held at Fukuoka City’s Hakatanomori Athletic Stadium on September 23rd, approximately 300 athletes aged 12 to 79, including those with physical and intellectual disabilities, competed. Athletes were divided into 15 events based on their disability, including the 50-meter sprint, 1500-meter sprint, long jump, and shot put, and attempted to break their personal records. For the first time, a “photo-stimulation start” system was introduced in a competition for hearing-impaired athletes, using light to signal the start.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 24, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

124 Previously Denied Disability Pension Claims Approved, Japan’s Health Ministry to Continue Review and Publish Monthly Updates [Podcast Episode]

In response to the higher rate of disability pension denials last fiscal year compared to the year before, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare conducted a detailed review of over 2,800 claims that had been denied between April and July last year. As a result, 124 of these cases were re-evaluated and will now be approved for payment. The ministry has announced it will continue to investigate recognition decisions and publish monthly updates on the progress.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Japan names 5-time Paralympic gold medalist Junichi Kawai to head sports agency [Podcast Episode]

Retired visually impaired swimmer Junichi Kawai was named the next commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency on Friday and will become the first Paralympian to assume the post when his appointment takes effect Oct. 1. Kawai expressed his determination to fulfill his role, saying at a press conference in Tokyo, “My goal is to build a society where citizens recognize the value and appeal of sports.” As it is rare for a government body to be led by someone who is totally visually impaired, he added, “The fact that someone like me has been appointed to this position shows that times have changed, and I hope this means a lot to many people.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 20, 2025 1
Disability Japan Welfare

124 Previously Denied Disability Pension Claims Approved, Japan’s Health Ministry to Continue Review and Publish Monthly Updates

In response to the higher rate of disability pension denials last fiscal year compared to the year before, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare conducted a detailed review of over 2,800 claims that had been denied between April and July last year. As a result, 124 of these cases were re-evaluated and will now be approved for payment. The ministry has announced it will continue to investigate recognition decisions and publish monthly updates on the progress.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 20, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Podcast Sex

Japan Panel OKs 1st OTC Sales of Erectile Dysfunction Drug [Podcast Episode]

An expert panel of Japan’s health ministry on Thursday approved over-the-counter sales of a drug to treat erectile dysfunction. It is expected that OTC sales of the drug will help spread opportunities for erectile dysfunction treatment as the male sexual dysfunction has major impacts on society, such as being a factor for declining birthrates.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Hospitals Japan

Hyōgo man dies after collapse; emergency call delay linked to NTT outage

On the afternoon of the 16th, a man in his 50s was found collapsed in Itami City, Hyōgo Prefecture, and was transported to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. According to police, at the time there was a communication outage affecting NTT West, and it is believed that the emergency call was delayed. However, it is not known whether this was directly related to the man’s death.