“Seamless Buddy,” a system that makes it possible to visualize the abilities of people with disabilities, is attracting attention. In March of this year, the system was recognized, and Yoko Takahashi (50), the representative of Danway (Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki City), which developed it, was selected for the “Kawasaki Entrepreneur Excellence Award.”
Japan’s parliament is likely to apologize to the victims of forced sterilization during its extraordinary session expected to be held this autumn, it was learned Tuesday. At hearings conducted by steering committees of both parliamentary chambers, ruling and opposition lawmakers called on the legislative branch to make an apology on its own for the inhumane acts carried out under the now-defunct eugenics law after the Supreme Court found the law unconstitutional.
The Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education has decided to abolish boarding schools at both Tochigi and Nasu special needs schools in March 2025. The decision was made public at an information session for parents that began on July 10th. These were the only two boarding schools for intellectually disabled children in the prefecture, so all such schools will be abolished.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling ordering the government to pay compensation for the former Eugenic Protection Law, a plaintiff living in Tokyo visited his father’s grave in his hometown of Sendai to report the outcome of the trial. As a child, Kita was placed in an institution for behaving in a problematic manner, and was forced to undergo surgery at the age of 14.
Megumi, which operates a group home for people with disabilities, submitted its business policy to Aichi Prefecture on July 12th, indicating its intention to transfer the business within the year. There is a possibility that some facilities will no longer be able to operate.
Megumi aims to transfer the business to a separate corporation within the year. After being found to have inflated food costs and fraudulent compensation claims, Megumi was administratively punished by Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City, and will no longer be able to operate group homes nationwide.
Ahead of the Kyoani arson fifth anniversary Thursday, the 3-meter-tall aluminum monument, built in the Historical Park of Tea and Uji Town, features a design symbolizing the individuality of the 36 victims soaring into the sky, adorned with inscriptions such as “Dreams and passion from person to person.”
Kishida said at a meeting of ruling Liberal Democratic Party executives on Tuesday that he will meet the plaintiffs on July 17. He said the government has clearly stated that it is sincerely remorseful and offers deep apologies.
Four public hospitals in the earthquake-hit Okunoto area in central Japan ran a combined loss of over 1.2 billion yen in fiscal 2023, it was learned Tuesday. The Okunoto area, which is the northern point of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, was hit especially hard by the 7.6-magnitude quake that shook the peninsula Jan. 1.
Kyoto police arrested two men on Thursday for allegedly forcing a disabled coworker into an industrial washing machine and turning it on, injuring him. On March 26 at around 2:30 p.m, the two suspects reportedly told their coworker, a 50-year-old man with an intellectual disability, “You stink! Get in the washing machine.”
They allegedly proceeded to force him into the machine and turn it on, resulting in injuries that required two weeks to heal. The victim sought medical attention a few days after the incident. The doctor who treated him noticed bruises and other injuries all over his body and reported the case to the police.
As Monday marks the second anniversary of the fatal shooting of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Unification Church finds itself in a difficult position as the incident shed light on the religious group’s controversial practices, such as collecting massive donations from its followers.
Since November 2022, the culture ministry has repeatedly exercised its right to have the group respond to its inquiries. And in October last year, the ministry asked Tokyo District Court to issue an order to dissolve the group, alleging violations of the Civil Code.
Barrier Free Japan