Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 2, 2025 1
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

Elderly and Disabled Struggled to Evacuate Amid Japan Tsunami Warnings

When tsunami warnings were issued across parts of Japan on July 30, tens of thousands of residents were urged to evacuate coastal areas. However for some elderly and disabled people, evacuation proved either extremely difficult or impossible. An 80-year-old woman in Iwaki, caring for her 86-year-old husband who uses a wheelchair, explained her dilemma: “It’s physically impossible for me to push his wheelchair to the local elementary and junior high schools designated as evacuation centers. And there’s no way I’ll go and leave my husband behind.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 1, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Podcast Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

24 Hours After the Tsunami Warning [Podcast Episode]

All ’Tsunami Warnings’ are now lifted, and at the time of recording, only some ‘advisories’ for northern and eastern Japan remained. The government on Tuesday approved expanded disaster relief to better support the elderly and people with disabilities during emergencies, including armed attacks. There are concerns about disaster-related deaths, as some evacuees die due to their health deteriorating after evacuation. The government also sees a need to strengthen protection for evacuees in the event of armed attacks.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 31, 2025 1
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan

Japan expands aid for the elderly and people with disabilities in emergencies

The government on Tuesday approved expanded disaster relief to better support the elderly and people with disabilities during emergencies, including armed attacks. There are concerns about disaster-related deaths, as some evacuees die due to their health deteriorating after evacuation. The government also sees a need to strengthen protection for evacuees in the event of armed attacks.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 30, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Heatstroke Japan

10,000 taken to hospital in week for heat-related illnesses in Japan

Over 10,000 people in Japan were taken to hospital due to heat-related illnesses over the course of a week in July, marking the highest weekly figure so far this year, official data showed Tuesday, with temperatures topping 35 C at hundreds of observation points. Among the individuals, 260 required hospitalization for more than three weeks, while 3,624 needed short-term stays in medical facilities. Of those taken to hospital, 55.6 percent were aged 65 or older.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 30, 2025 Number of comments0
Children Disability Japan Podcast Ukraine

Japan provides support for children with disabilities in Ukraine [Podcast Episode]

Japan has provided rehabilitation equipment to Ukraine to help support children with disabilities. More than 130 items are being delivered to the capital city of Kyiv through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The gear includes electric wheelchairs, and robot suits, which help wearers move their lower limbs with less effort. A handover ceremony was held at the rehabilitation center for children with disabilities in Kyiv on Tuesday 22nd July. Some children tried out the devices.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 29, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Sagamihara

Victims Mourned 9 Years after Care Home Rampage in Kanagawa

A memorial ceremony was held Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of the killing rampage at Tsukui Yamayuri-en, a care home for people with disabilities in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, that left 19 residents dead.  The ceremony was organized by the Kanagawa prefectural government and others and held at the facility’s gymnasium. A total of 85 participants, including bereaved families and facility staff, as well as Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa, offered a silent prayer. “On that day, our lives were overturned, and it took five years to restore them,” said Kazuma Otsuki, who leads a group of the families of facility users. “We will never forget you (the victims) all.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 28, 2025 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Ukraine

Japan provides support for children with disabilities in Ukraine

Japan has provided rehabilitation equipment to Ukraine to help support children with disabilities. More than 130 items are being delivered to the capital city of Kyiv through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The gear includes electric wheelchairs, and robot suits, which help wearers move their lower limbs with less effort. A handover ceremony was held at the rehabilitation center for children with disabilities in Kyiv on Tuesday 22nd July. Some children tried out the devices.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 28, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Sagamihara

Nine Years Later, Memorials and ‘Silent Action’ Mark Loss of “irreplaceable” Victims of Care Home Stabbings [Podcast Episode]

A memorial ceremony commemorating the victims of the 2016 mass stabbing at Tsukui Yamayuri-en, a care facility for people with disabilities, was held on Saturday, July 26, marking nine years since the tragedy. The ceremony was organized by the Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Sagamihara City, and the facility’s managing welfare organization. Some political action groups also marked the day as a way to highlight injustices against people with disabilities and minority groups in general.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 26, 2025 1
Disability Japan Sagamihara

Memorials and ‘Silent Action’ by Disability Rights Groups Mark Ninth Anniversary of Sagamihara Stabbings

A memorial ceremony commemorating the victims of the 2016 mass stabbing at Tsukui Yamayuri-en, a care facility for people with disabilities, was held on Saturday, July 26, marking nine years since the tragedy. The ceremony was organized by the Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Sagamihara City, and the facility’s managing welfare organization. Some political action groups also marked the day as a way to highlight injustices against people with disabilities and minority groups in general.