Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 9, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast

Japan’s Diet Enacts Forced Sterilization Compensation Bill [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, unanimously passed a bill on Monday 7th October to compensate victims of forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenic protection law. The bill is expected to be enacted on Tuesday after approval by the House of Councillors, the upper chamber. It calls for compensation of 15 million yen each for victims and 5 million yen for their spouses, as well as a lump-sum payment of 2 million yen to those forced to have abortions. If victims and their spouses are already deceased, the bill allows their bereaved families to seek compensation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 9, 2024 1
Disability Discrimination Forced Sterilization Japan

Japan’s Diet Passes Forced Sterilization Compensation Bill

The Diet enacted the Forced Sterilization Compensation Bill into law on Tuesday. The compensation law will take effect three months after its promulgation. While a similar law enacted in 2019 did not explicitly mention the state’s apology in its preamble, the compensation law states that the Diet and the government seriously acknowledge their responsibility and sincerely apologize for creating and implementing an unconstitutional law.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 8, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Education Japan

National Meeting on “Inclusive Education” for Children with and without Disabilities Held in Hokkaido

A national meeting to discuss “inclusive education,” where children learn together regardless of disabilities, was held in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido on October 5th and 6th. Children with disabilities and their guardians shared their experiences and talked about necessary considerations for entrance examinations and school life.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 5, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Blind Disability Japan

Japan startup’s shoe vibrator helps visually impaired to navigate

A startup backed by Honda Motor Co. has launched a shoe-mounted vibration device to help visually impaired people navigate their surroundings.

Paired with a smartphone app, the device developed by Ashirase wraps around the foot and sends prompts by vibration. It contains a motion sensor to detect the user’s position and signal a turn at the appropriate time.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 4, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics

Despite Ending Sponsorship of International Olympic Committee, Toyota to Continue “direct support to athletes and equipment for sports for the disabled”

Toyota has served as a highest-ranking sponsor under a 10-year contract starting in 2015. The company has provided vehicles for officials and athletes at five Summer and Winter Games during that period. According to officials, Toyota has paid approximately 200 billion yen ($1.4 billion) to the IOC.The automaker intends to continue providing direct support to athletes and equipment for sports for the disabled even after the sponsorship agreement ends, Toyoda said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 3, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Japan’s Welfare Ministry Reports Only 50.1% of Companies Achieved Legal Employment Rate for People with Disabilities in 2023

According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, only 50.1% of companies achieved the legal employment rate for people with disabilities of 2.3% in 2023. The legal employment rate for private companies was raised to 2.5% in April 2024, and is scheduled to be further raised to 2.7% in July 2026.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 2, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan

Awards ceremony held for businesses in Yamanashi Prefecture proactive in hiring people with disabilities

In order to raise interest and understanding in hiring people with disabilities, Yamanashi prefecture and other organizations are awarding businesses that are proactively hiring and exemplary people who have worked there for many years in line with “Disability Employment Support Month” in September.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 1, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan Work

Japan’s UNIQLO’s Owner ‘Fast Retailing’ Reportedly Employs More than 1,000 People with Disabilities

The statutory employment rate for people with disabilities in Japan was raised to 2.5% in April 2024, and a policy has been announced to make it 2.7% in fiscal 2026. UNIQLO’s parent company, ‘Fast Retailing’ employs 1,167 people, saying it has set a goal of “employing at least one person with disabilities per store.”