Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 12, 2024 1
Abuse Care Disability Hokkaido Japan

After Occurrences of Abuse are Discovered at Sapporo Facility for People with Disabilities, Ward Office Imposes Three-month Suspension on Admitting New Users

The city of Sapporo has taken administrative action to suspend the admission of new users to a disability support facility in Kiyota Ward for three months after two users were beaten and abused by staff at the facility. According to Sapporo City, on July 23rd of this year, a male staff member in his 40s at Sapporo Suginaen punched a male user in his 50s in the face and kicked another user in his 60s in the body. The social welfare corporation Hokushoukai commented, “We take this incident very seriously. We will work sincerely to prevent a recurrence.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 10, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Health Japan

Elderly at higher risk of winter ‘heat shock’ deaths when bathing; Japan expert shares tips

Wintry temperatures have arrived in the Japanese capital and surrounding Kanto region. It’s the season when taking a bath can feel good, but that also means a higher risk of accidents, so experts are advising vigilance against so-called “heat shock”: sudden changes in blood pressure that can make someone lose consciousness or suffer a stroke.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 7, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Robotics Technology

Trial event held in Miyazaki for people with disabilities with difficulties going outside in using an ‘avatar robot’

A trial event was held in Miyakonojo City to let many people know about “avatar robots,” which allow people with disabilities or other reasons to remotely control a robot to connect with society. The robot introduced was a small humanoid robot called “OriHime” equipped with a camera and microphone. People who have difficulty going out due to disabilities or serious illnesses can remotely control it to talk to people. On the 5th, a trial event was held at the Miyakonojo City Museum of Art, and “Hina,” a woman in her 20s from Miyazaki City who operates the “avatar robot,” interacted with visitors.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 6, 2024 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast

Forced Sterilization Plaintiff Yumi Suzuki Named an “Influential and inspiring woman” by the BBC [Podcast Episode]

Yumi Suzuki, one of the plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenics protection law was selected for the BBC’s annual list of “influential and inspiring women” around the world on Tuesday 3rd December. The theme of this year’s selection was “resilience,” highlighting the women who “are pushing for change and improving lives at community or global level.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 5, 2024 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Ukraine

Japan provides support for people with disabilities in Ukraine

Japan has provided Ukraine with rehabilitation equipment and welfare vehicles to support senior citizens and people with disabilities. The items will be delivered to 11 facilities in the Kyiv region through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. In the Kyiv region, the number of people with disabilities has risen by 14,000 since the invasion began.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 4, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan

Forced Sterilization Plaintiff Yumi Suzuki Named an “Influential and inspiring woman” by the BBC

Yumi Suzuki, one of the plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenics protection law was selected for the BBC’s annual list of “influential and inspiring women” around the world on Tuesday. The theme of this year’s selection was “resilience,” highlighting the women who “are pushing for change and improving lives at community or global level.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 4, 2024 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Podcast

I Cannot Think of My Disabled Daughter as “Precious”; Children Without Disabilities are “Adorable” [Podcast Episode]

“Our older daughter, a junior high school student, has a severe intellectual disability. She is unable to take care of herself, so I have to help her with everything, including using the bathroom and bathing. She is very particular about things and often gets angry suddenly or screams nonstop for a long time. I don’t know when it happened, but I started not thinking about her as precious to me. I sometimes even wish she would go away. My son, who is in high school, and my younger daughter, an elementary school student, have no disabilities, and they’re so adorable.” [From Japan News, ‘Dear Troubleshooter’]