Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 5, 2024 1
ALS Assisted Dying Disability Euthanasia Japan

Kyoto District Court Sentences Physician to 18 Years in Prison for Killing Patient with ALS 

The trial of Yoshikazu Okubo (45), who was charged with commission murder and murder for killing a patient with the incurable disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by administering drugs at her request has concluded.

The Kyoto District Court handed down the verdict on March 5th. Presiding Judge Hiroshi Kawakami rejected the defense’s claim of innocence and sentenced him to 18 years in prison (23 years in prison was originally sought), stating that “social appropriateness cannot be recognized at all.” He read out the reasons for the judgment and then delivered the main sentence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 5, 2024 Number of comments0
Deaf Disability Hearing Impaired Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: ‘Assist Mats’ Begin to Appear in 7-11 Branches in Japan

At some branches of 7-11, as you walk up to pay, you might see this mat, stuck to the counter. The mat has images with writing underneath, the writing is in Japanese & English and below the images it reads: ‘Buy Coffee’, ‘Buy Plastic Bag’, ‘Chopsticks’, ‘Fork’, ‘Spoon’, ‘Warm Up Microwave’, ‘Yes’ & ‘No’.

The mat is intended to help people with difficulties communicating, especially d/Deaf people and people with hearing impairments, when attempting to tell the 7-11 staff what they want to buy.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 3, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan

Japanese model with Down syndrome fulfills dream, walks in Paris show

A Japanese model with Down syndrome made a guest appearance at Paris Fashion Week on Saturday, making her dream come true as she walked down the runway in a glamorous kimono-inspired dress.

Nao Saito, known by her stage name Nao, walked in the show of international designer Samina Mughal, clad in a red gown tied with a gold “obi” sash. The dress was made by a Japanese company hoping to share Japan’s culture with the world.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 2, 2024 1
Day Care Service Disability Japan

Kanagawa Prefecture conducts on-site inspection of a home for the severely disabled

On March 2, it was learned that the Kanagawa prefectural government had conducted on-site inspections at two group homes for the severely disabled in Kanagawa Prefecture, based on the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act, because the operator was suspected of violating national standards for the operation of group homes for the severely disabled and suddenly evicting residents.

According to the officials, last year, a mentally disabled woman moved into a GH in Fujisawa City, and the GH asked her to move out immediately after a month or so because the staff could not handle her well and her behavior had become unstable. The woman was forced to return to her home with her parents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 1, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Wheelchair

Disability News Japan Podcast: Japan’s Barrier Free Laws Regarding Wheelchair User Spaces to be Revised

Japan’s infrastructure ministry plans to create a nationwide rule requiring that 0.5 pct of seats at sports venues and theaters be reserved for wheelchair users. The central government’s move comes after many local governments have set their own wheelchair space requirements of 0.5 pct or more.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 29, 2024 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Japan Mental Health Police

Ex-Police Chief Inspector Charged over Death in Custody of Man with Schizophrenia and Diabetes

A former chief inspector at the Aichi prefectural police received a summary indictment Wednesday over the death of a man in police custody in the central Japan prefecture.

The former chief inspector allegedly left the victim unattended while knowing that he was unable to eat or drink by himself and had difficulties communicating with others.

The police arrested the victim on suspicion of obstructing official duties and put him into the observation cell handcuffed and bound with rope after he acted violently at the police station. The victim had schizophrenia and diabetes.