Category: Disability

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 6, 2024 Number of comments0
Care Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Megumi Corporation

After ‘Group Home’ Scandal, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to “examine definition” to clarify situation of people waiting for admission to facilities for people with disabilities

Regarding the issue of people nationwide on waiting lists due to a lack of vacancies in residential facilities and group homes (GHs) for people with disabilities, the Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Keizo Takemi expressed his intention to clarify the actual situation of those on the waiting list at a press conference on July 23rd. In a survey conducted by NHK, which received responses from 47 prefectures and 696 cities, wards, towns and villages, which account for 40% of the total, it was found that a total of 22,000 people were on the waiting list for facilities and GHs.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 5, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #50: 1st Plaintiff, Sumiko Nishi, Reaches Settlement in Forced Sterilization Lawsuits in Japan

The settlement in the suit filed by Sumiko Nishi, 77, of Hino, Tokyo, was finalized in Tokyo District Court. Nishi, who has cerebral palsy, was subjected to sterilization without consent at around 14 years old. Nishi’s legal team says the government agreed to pay more than 16 million yen, or about 106,000 dollars, for the compensation, legal fees and other costs. She filed a lawsuit against the government in September 2022 for damages of 30 million yen, citing severe mental anguish from the surgery.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 1, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Headquarters for the Promotion of Measures toward the Realization of a Coexisting Society Free from Prejudice and Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Japan Podcast

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #49: Japan’s PM Kishida Vows to “eradicate prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities”

On July 29th, Prime Minister Kishida held the first meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of Measures toward the Realization of a Coexisting Society Free from Prejudice and Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 31, 2024 1
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan

1st Plaintiff, Sumiko Nishi, Reaches Settlement in Forced Sterilization Lawsuits in Japan

A plaintiff in a damages lawsuit over forced sterilizations conducted under Japan’s now-defunct eugenic protection law reached a settlement Wednesday with the government, the first such resolution among similar lawsuits filed across the country. The settlement in the suit filed by Sumiko Nishi, 77, of Hino, Tokyo, was finalized in Tokyo District Court. Nishi, who has cerebral palsy, was subjected to sterilization without consent at around 14 years old. Nishi’s legal team says the government agreed to pay more than 16 million yen, or about 106,000 dollars, for the compensation, legal fees and other costs. She filed a lawsuit against the government in September 2022 for damages of 30 million yen, citing severe mental anguish from the surgery.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 29, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Sagamihara Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #48: Despite Sympathy for People with Disabilities ‘Post-Sagamihara’, Group Homes for Disabled Often Opposed

In response to the ‘Sagamihara Stabbings’, Kanagawa Prefecture has set a goal of “realizing a society where we can live together,” placing emphasis on a shift away from welfare policies that require people with disabilities to spend their entire lives in facilities, and promoting a shift to community living. However, in reality, there are many cases where attempts to open group homes (GHs) have been met with opposition from residents and forced to abandon plans.

“We won’t let them do it unless everyone agrees.” At an information session for a GH for people with disabilities scheduled to open in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, residents repeatedly voiced their opposition.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 26, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Forced Sterilization Japan Sagamihara

Japan to Form Team to End Discrimination against People with Disabilities

The Japanese government decided on Friday to set up a task force to eradicate discrimination against disabled people.

The decision followed a recent Supreme Court ruling that the former eugenic protection law, which allowed forced sterilizations of disabled people, was unconstitutional. The first meeting of the task force will be held on Monday.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 26, 2024 1
Assisted Living Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Podcast Sagamihara

Eight Years Pass Since ‘Sagamihara Stabbings’ at Care Home for People with Disabilities in Japan, Group Homes for Disabled Still Often Opposed

In the early hours of July 26, 2016, a former employee of the Tsukui Yamayuri-en care home in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, broke in and killed 19 residents between the ages of 19 and 70 with a knife, injuring 26 others. In response to the incident, Kanagawa Prefecture has set a goal of “realizing a society where we can live together,” placing emphasis on a shift away from welfare policies that require people with disabilities to spend their entire lives in facilities, and promoting a shift to community living. However, in reality, there are many cases where attempts to open group homes (GHs) have been met with opposition from residents and forced to abandon plans.