Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Japan

‘My Physically Disabled Son’s Prospective In-Laws Oppose the Marriage’ [‘Dear Troubleshooter’, The Japan News]

My two older children are twins, and they both have physical disabilities. They both say they have never resented their bodies, although I believe they’ve gone through difficulties. One of the twins has been with his girlfriend for more than five years. She’s lovely and they’re talking about getting married soon. However, her parents are against the marriage. I think they’re worried about their daughter marrying a person who is severely disabled. Should I not say anything and leave it up to my son and his girlfriend? It’s difficult because I feel helpless as a parent.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 3, 2025 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Discrimination Employment Japan Podcast

Chiba civil engineering company settles lawsuit over “insufficient understanding” of disability [Podcast Episode]

A lawsuit filed by a man in his 30s from Chiba Prefecture against his former civil engineering company in Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture for damages, alleging that he was discriminated against and forced to resign from the civil engineering company where he was employed as a disabled person through Hello Work because the company did not take his developmental disability into consideration, has been settled in the Chiba District Court. The former employer will pay the man approximately 300,000 yen in settlement money. According to the man’s attorney, the settlement was reached in October last year. The settlement terms stated that the former employer apologized to the man for not fully understanding the characteristics of his developmental disability and would pay him the settlement money. 

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 2, 2025 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Japan Welfare

Japanese Government to establish consultation system for developmental disorders, supporting children, families, and local communities

The government has decided to strengthen support for children and families who may have developmental disorders from fiscal 2025, officials announced on the 1st Local childcare, health, and welfare officials will work together with medical institutions. The aim is to establish a system where families can receive “developmental consultations” regarding their children’s characteristics and concerns, such as delayed speech and restlessness, at an early stage, leading to smooth support. In the support framework, developmental consultations will be conducted in places close to children and families, such as health centers that conduct infant health checkups and childcare support centers. Psychologists dispatched from medical institutions commissioned by local governments will provide consultations. An assessment of the child’s characteristics will be conducted and an explanation will be given as to whether a specialist examination is necessary in the future.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 1, 2025 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Discrimination Employment Japan

Chiba civil engineering company pays former employee settlement over “insufficient understanding of developmental disorders”

A lawsuit filed by a man in his 30s from Chiba Prefecture against his former civil engineering company in Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture for damages, alleging that he was discriminated against and forced to resign from the civil engineering company where he was employed as a disabled person through Hello Work because the company did not take his developmental disability into consideration, has been settled in the Chiba District Court. The former employer will pay the man approximately 300,000 yen in settlement money. According to the man’s attorney, the settlement was reached in October last year. The settlement terms stated that the former employer apologized to the man for not fully understanding the characteristics of his developmental disability and would pay him the settlement money. 

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 31, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan

Lost Earnings Due to Accident: Make Ruling a Step to Change Convention of Cutting Funds for Those with Disabilities [Yomiuri Editorial]

The ruling at the Osaka High Court indicated that the reduction of lost earnings for children, including those with disabilities, should only occur in exceptional cases. This is a significant change in the conventional thinking that reducing amounts for those who are disabled is inevitable. It can be said that this has had an impact on what compensation for damages should be like for people who are disabled.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 30, 2025 Number of comments0
Children Disability Japan Mental Health

Suicides among school children in Japan at highest level since 1980, overall figure declines for second consecutive year

Elementary, junior high and high school students accounted for 527 of those completing suicide, the highest level since records began in 1980, with the number staying above 500 for the third straight year. Of them, a record 163 junior high school students killed themselves.

The number of people who killed themselves in Japan fell to 20,268 in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of decline and the second-lowest level after 20,169 in 2019, the health ministry said Wednesday.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 29, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Education Employment Japan Mental Health

Record Number of Teachers in Japan Took Leave for Mental Illness in Fiscal Year 2023 [Podcast Episode]

A record number of public school educators took leave due to mental disorders in fiscal 2023, the third straight year of increase, according to a ministry survey. A record 7,119 educators, or 0.77 percent of the total, temporarily stepped away from their positions under the official leave system for mental illnesses in fiscal 2023, up 580 individuals, or 0.06 percentage point, from the previous year.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 28, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Education Japan Mental Health

Record Number of Teachers in Japan Took Leave for Mental Illness in Fiscal Year 2023

A record number of public school educators took leave due to mental disorders in fiscal 2023, the third straight year of increase, according to a ministry survey. A record 7,119 educators, or 0.77 percent of the total, temporarily stepped away from their positions under the official leave system for mental illnesses in fiscal 2023, up 580 individuals, or 0.06 percentage point, from the previous year.