Discrimination – Page 2 – Barrier Free Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 3, 2025 0

Tokyo couple denied housing after disabilities revealed [Podcast Episode]

A couple in Tokyo were all set to move into a new home when a real estate agent abruptly relayed a message from the apartment management company. “We regret to inform you that we cannot proceed with the contract.”They repeatedly tried to get an explanation from the company but could not gain access. The couple then realized the company’s decision to reject their application came soon after the property owner learned about their mental disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 30, 2025 0

Disability Discrimination Housing Human Rights Japan

Tokyo couple denied housing after disabilities revealed

A couple in Tokyo were all set to move into a new home when a real estate agent abruptly relayed a message from the apartment management company. “We regret to inform you that we cannot proceed with the contract.”They repeatedly tried to get an explanation from the company but could not gain access.
The couple then realized the company’s decision to reject their application came soon after the property owner learned about their mental disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 14, 2025 1

Disability Discrimination Japan

Akutagawa Prize Winning Author with Disabilities, Saou Ichikawa, Offers View on ‘Co-existence’ in Japan

“Coexistence” is a word used in a variety of contexts, including the global environment, living things, and different cultures, but as a simple search for “coexistence society” reveals, in Japan it is a word that should primarily be used to consider the inclusion of people with disabilities. Japan, in particular, is the country where the horrific Sagamihara Massacre, a mass murder of disabled people, took place. If the meaning and obligation of using the word “symbiosis” in our country since that incident never crossed the minds of the planners and approvers of the Asahi Earth Conference 2024, then beyond feeling disappointed, I’m left with the suspicion that some more serious issue lies between “me” and you. By “me,” I mean Ichikawa Saou, a citizen, a person with a disability, and a subscriber to the Asahi Shimbun Digital newspaper.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 1, 2025 0

Disability Discrimination Elderly Hearing Impaired Japan Podcast

Japan Post Apologizes After Delivery Contractor Writes Discriminatory Note to Hearing Impaired Customer [Podcast Episode]

Japan Post announced that a contractor employee at the Nagasaki Central Post Office was dismissed after writing a discriminatory remark on a delivery notice left for an elderly customer with hearing difficulties. The incident occurred on July 29 and came to light two days later when the customer reported it. Japan Post staff visited the customer to apologize directly. The company stated there was no prior trouble between the two and pledged to strengthen human rights awareness to prevent a recurrence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 31, 2025 1

Disability Discrimination Elderly Hearing Impaired Japan

Japan Post Apologizes After Delivery Contractor Writes Discriminatory Note to Hearing Impaired Customer

Japan Post announced that a contractor employee at the Nagasaki Central Post Office was dismissed after writing a discriminatory remark on a delivery notice left for an elderly customer with hearing difficulties. The incident occurred on July 29 and came to light two days later when the customer reported it. Japan Post staff visited the customer to apologize directly. The company stated there was no prior trouble between the two and pledged to strengthen human rights awareness to prevent a recurrence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 11, 2025 0

Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Nagoya Podcast Tourism

Discriminatory Comments Over Nagoya Castle Accessibility Towards Wheelchair User Prompts Mayor to Apologize [Podcast Episode]

Nagoya Mayor Hirosawa has apologized to disability groups for discriminatory comments made at a June 2023 public forum on barrier-free access in the planned wooden reconstruction of Nagoya Castle’s main keep. At the meeting, a wheelchair user’s request for an elevator was met with remarks such as “endure it” and “don’t confuse equality with selfishness,” along with a derogatory term, drawing applause from some attendees. Then-Mayor Kawamura and city officials present did not intervene, prompting public outrage. Following a review, the city pledged human rights training for staff, formal apologies, and measures to prevent a recurrence. Hirosawa said the city will work to balance historical authenticity with accessibility in the reconstruction plan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 9, 2025 1

Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Nagoya

Discriminatory Comments Over Nagoya Castle Accessibility Towards Wheelchair User Prompts Mayor to Apologize

Nagoya Mayor Hirosawa has apologized to disability groups for discriminatory comments made at a June 2023 public forum on barrier-free access in the planned wooden reconstruction of Nagoya Castle’s main keep. At the meeting, a wheelchair user’s request for an elevator was met with remarks such as “endure it” and “don’t confuse equality with selfishness,” along with a derogatory term, drawing applause from some attendees. Then-Mayor Kawamura and city officials present did not intervene, prompting public outrage. Following a review, the city pledged human rights training for staff, formal apologies, and measures to prevent a recurrence. Hirosawa said the city will work to balance historical authenticity with accessibility in the reconstruction plan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 3, 2025 0

Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Golden Week Japan Podcast

Golden Week ‘Shogai Podcast Shorts’ 1: Constitution Day [Podcast Episode]

One year after Japan’s revised ‘Act for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities’ came into effect—mandating that businesses provide reasonable accommodation to people with disabilities—surveys show that public awareness remains low, with 60% of disabled respondents unaware of the new legal obligation. Experts stress that without such awareness, meaningful dialogue and support cannot occur, and call for stronger government-led information efforts.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 2, 2025 0

Autism Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Podcast

“I’m in shock”: Autistic Man in Hiroshima Mistaken for Molester, Reported to Police [Podcast Episode]

A mother in Hiroshima reported that her 21-year-old autistic son was mistakenly accused of groping on a bus after failing to respond to a woman’s request to move, highlighting how individuals with developmental disabilities are often misjudged due to difficulties with communication and social cues; although the police confirmed no wrongdoing through surveillance footage, the emotional impact remains, prompting calls for greater public awareness and understanding—especially through visible aids like the “Help Mark”—to prevent such distressing incidents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 30, 2025 1

Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan

One Year After Japan’s Disability Discrimination Laws Were Revised, 60% of Disabled Are Unaware of Rights

One year after Japan’s revised Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities came into effect—mandating that businesses provide reasonable accommodation to people with disabilities—surveys show that public awareness remains low, with 60% of disabled respondents unaware of the new legal obligation. Experts stress that without such awareness, meaningful dialogue and support cannot occur, and call for stronger government-led information efforts.