Category: Disability

Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan

Last Remaining Forced Sterilization Lawsuit in Japan Settled

A settlement was reached Friday at Nagoya High Court in central Japan in a damages lawsuit over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenic protection law, ending a series of similar lawsuits in the country, according to the defense lawyers. The Nagoya lawsuit was filed by Keiko Onoue, 74, and her husband, Kazutaka, 77, against the Japanese government. The settlement terms are based on an agreement reached between the two sides in September.

Disability Elderly Health Japan My Number

Japan to Abolish Health Insurance Cards as Planned

Japanese digital minister Masaaki Taira reiterated that the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards on Dec. 2 as planned in a move to integrate them into “My Number” electronic personal identification cards. “There is no change in our policy to proceed (with the abolition) as scheduled,” Taira said in a recent interview. At the same time, Taira underscored the importance of the government making efforts to eliminate public distrust in problem-prone My Number cards.

Alzheimer’s Disability Japan

European Agency Switches to Recommending New Alzheimer’s Drug

The European Medicines Agency said Thursday that its committee evaluating medical products has recommended partial approval of sales of lecanemab to treat Alzheimer’s disease. The committee of the pharmaceuticals watchdog had shown a negative opinion in July on the medicine, developed by drugmakers Eisai Co. of Japan and Biogen Inc. of the United States.

Alzheimer’s Dementia Disability Japan

Japan OKs Insurance Coverage of Alzheimer’s Drug Donanemab

Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council, which advises the health minister, approved Wednesday public health insurance coverage for donanemab, an Alzheimer’s medicine developed by U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly & Co. The government set the drug’s price at 66,948 yen per 350-milligram vial. As a dip is required every month, it will cost a patient about 3.08 million yen per year. Treatment with donanemab will last up to 18 months. Due to the high costs, the government will provide subsidies to cap patients’ out-of-pocket expenses. As a result, most of the costs will be shouldered by the government. The insurance coverage will start Nov. 20.

Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Eugenics Japan Relationships

(Update) Disabled man denied entry to matchmaking party in Tokyo

A man who has experienced nightmare dates with women he met online believed that a Tokyo government-related matchmaking service would provide a safe and perhaps last opportunity to find love.
But the not-for-profit organization that arranged the matchmaking event rejected the man’s application to attend after learning about his minor intellectual disability. The organizer said in a notice that participants are “limited to mentally and physically healthy people.” The Bureau of Citizens, Culture and Sport found fault with the way the organization treated the man after learning about his disability, and it temporarily suspended the organization’s event announcements on the website.

Barrier Free Disability Japan Kyoto Wheelchair

(Update) JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – There is Hope!

Back in December 2023, Barrier Free Japan wrote about they often leave Kyoto by JR Kyoto Station and noted that one of JR Kyoto Station’s ‘accessible toilets’ had been ‘out of order’ or ‘unavailable for use’ for weeks. Barrier Free Japan reported on October 31st 2024 that almost over one year later, it remained ‘out of order’. On Friday 8th November 2024, Barrier Free Japan observed an ‘accessible toilet’ which was ‘un-taped off!’

Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan Podcast

Over Half of Companies in Toyama Prefecture Employ No People with Disabilities [Podcast Episode]

Companies in Japan of a certain size are required by law to employ people with disabilities, according to the ‘Act on Promotion of Employment of People with Disabilities’. Companies with 40 or more employees in Japan are required by law to employ at least one person with a disability. According to the Toyama Labor Bureau, over half of the companies that meet that certain size have not employed a single person, so-called zero-employment companies.

Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan

Over Half of Companies in Toyama Prefecture Employ No People with Disabilities

Companies in Japan of a certain size are required by law to employ people with disabilities, according to the ‘Act on Promotion of Employment of People with Disabilities’. Companies with 40 or more employees in Japan are required by law to employ at least one person with a disability. According to the Toyama Labor Bureau, over half of the companies that meet that certain size have not employed a single person, so-called zero-employment companies.

Barrier Free developmental disabilities Disability Education Japan Podcast

Tokyo Ward Launches Free “Five-year-old check-ups” for Early Detection of Developmental Disabilities [Podcast Episode]

A national subsidy system has been launched for “five-year-old health checkups” conducted by local governments. The main aim is to detect developmental disorders early before entering elementary school and connect them to support through medical care, welfare. The results of the checkups are thought to have a bearing on each individual’s schooling.

Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast

Violinist with Cerebral Palsy to Perform in Shinagawa During Disabled Persons Week [Podcast Episode]

December 3rd to December 9th every year is Disability Week. The Disabled Persons Week was established by the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities to promote interest and understanding of welfare of persons with disabilities among the public at large, and to promote active participation of persons with disabilities in activities in all fields. Shikimachi Mizuki, a violinist who has cerebral palsy will perform a piece composed for the event, “Barrier-free Heart: Healing Tones”.