Category: Disasters

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 5, 2026 Number of comments0
Disasters Infectious Diseases Influenza Japan Podcast Typhoon

On Typhoons and Influenza [Podcast Episode]

The average number of influenza patients per monitored medical institution has exceeded 1.0 in all 47 Japanese prefectures, signaling a nationwide flu outbreak, a health ministry announcement showed Friday. The ministry said that the number of flu patients at some 3,000 regularly monitored institutions across the country came to 7.17 on average in the week through Sunday. While the figure was slightly lower than 8.48 the previous week, a ministry official said, “The decline may be temporary, given trends in previous years.” A large and powerful typhoon, now over the sea far south of Japan, is expected to move north while developing and come closest to the Pacific islands of Ogasawara early next week.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 26, 2026 Number of comments0
Deaf Disability Disasters Hearing Impaired Japan Typhoon Typhoon Dujuan

Manufacturer to offer free hearing aid replacements to typhoon Dujuan victims

Rion Co., a Japanese manufacturer of hearing aids and medical equipment, said Thursday it will provide free replacement hearing aids or repairs to people whose Rion devices were lost or damaged in Typhoon No. 25. The company said the assistance will be available regardless of when the hearing aids were purchased for people affected by the typhoon in areas covered by the Disaster Relief Act.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 24, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Japan Typhoon Typhoon Dujuan

3 More Confirmed Dead in Japan after Typhoon Dujuan

Three more people had been newly confirmed dead in the eastern Japan prefectures of Chiba and Kanagawa by Wednesday afternoon after heavy rain from Typhoon Dujuan, the 25th typhoon of the year, caused flooding and landslides.  The death toll from the typhoon had thus risen to 10 as of 6:30 p.m., while four other people were missing. Members of the Self-Defense Forces, the prefectural police and local fire authorities continued their search operations.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 23, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Japan Typhoon

Death toll from typhoon rises to 9, 4 still missing

The death toll from Typhoon Dujuan that hit eastern Japan earlier this week rose to nine Wednesday with the discovery of a woman confirmed dead in Kanagawa Prefecture and a man from a submerged vehicle in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, local authorities said. The search continues for four people who are still missing after the storm brought heavy rain and flooding to a wide area of the prefecture.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 4, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan Podcast

Support Center Launched to Help People with Disabilities Affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake Unable to Speak Up [Podcast Episode]

In the aftermath of the Kumamoto Earthquake, a new support center is working to reach people with disabilities who have been left without assistance and are unable to speak up for themselves. With many still isolated in their homes and surrounded by the destruction, local and national support organizations are joining forces to identify those in need and deliver help where government support has yet to reach.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 3, 2026 1
Disability Disasters Earthquake Japan Kumamoto

Support Center Launched to Help People with Disabilities Affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake Unable to Speak Up

In the aftermath of the Kumamoto Earthquake, a new support center is working to reach people with disabilities who have been left without assistance and are unable to speak up for themselves. With many still isolated in their homes and surrounded by the destruction, local and national support organizations are joining forces to identify those in need and deliver help where government support has yet to reach.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 28, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan Kumamoto Podcast

People with Disabilities Face Challenges after Kumamoto Quake [Podcast Episode]

Evacuee life poses various challenges for those with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable people following last month’s massive earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto. Keisuke Wakiyama, a 49-year-old evacuee with hearing loss living at an evacuation center in the city of Kumamoto, said he initially went without food because he was unaware that disaster relief goods were being handed out.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 26, 2026 1
Disability Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan Kumamoto

People with Disabilities Face Challenges after Kumamoto Quake

Evacuee life poses various challenges for those with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable people following last month’s massive earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto. Keisuke Wakiyama, a 49-year-old evacuee with hearing loss living at an evacuation center in the city of Kumamoto, said he initially went without food because he was unaware that disaster relief goods were being handed out.