Category: Discrimination

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 7, 2024 1
Discrimination Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan

Japan Lower House OKs Forced Sterilization Compensation Bill

Japan’s House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, unanimously passed a bill on Monday to compensate victims of forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenic protection law. The bill is expected to be enacted on Tuesday after approval by the House of Councillors, the upper chamber. It calls for compensation of 15 million yen each for victims and 5 million yen for their spouses, as well as a lump-sum payment of 2 million yen to those forced to have abortions. If victims and their spouses are already deceased, the bill allows their bereaved families to seek compensation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 24, 2024 1
developmental disabilities Disability Discrimination Human Rights Japan Politics

National network for people with developmental disabilities will be formed; voices of people with developmental disabilities will be reflected in policies

A forum was held in Tokyo on September 22nd to form a national network for people with developmental disabilities, Kyodo News reported. In order to reflect the voices of people with developmental disabilities in national and local government policies, local groups of people with developmental disabilities have decided to form a national network. The forum was held in Tokyo on the 22nd. Representatives of the initiators exchanged opinions on issues such as employment and welfare. A website will be launched within the year and participation will be encouraged.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 20, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Education Japan Podcast

“You won’t let him go to school”: Hyogo parents and child with disabilities file suit, claiming their “human rights were violated” [Podcast Episode]

On September 17th, two parents and their children in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, filed a human rights complaint with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, claiming that their opinions and those of their guardians were not respected and were harmed during school counselling sessions for their children with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 19, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Education Japan

“You won’t let him go to school”: Parents and child file suit, claiming their “human rights were violated” during consultation on school enrollment for disabled child

The parents and children allege that they wished to study in regular classes at public elementary and junior high schools, but were not accepted by the local public schools and the Board of Education, and that they were further subjected to human rights violations in which their wishes were denied by the parents and children, who were subjected to hurtful words during the consultation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 17, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Discrimination Japan

Annual ‘Miyagi Appeal Action’ Held in Sendai to Raise Awareness About Issues Facing People with Disabilities 

he “Miyagi Appeal Action” rally was held in Sendai City on the 16th to raise awareness of the discrimination and difficulties facing people with disabilities. This is held annually by an executive committee made up of over 40 disability groups in Miyagi Prefecture. This year, in response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the theme was “Disability and Disaster Prevention,” and an appeal was adopted calling on the government to develop disaster prevention and evacuation plans that reflect the perspectives of people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 2, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Elderly Japan Travel

Recent Refusal of disabled man from boarding a bus in Kawasaki Echoes Cause of 1977 ‘Kawasaki bus struggle’

In 1977, large-scale protests were held over the public bus operator’s refusal to allow people in wheelchairs with cerebral palsy to board, which became known as the “Kawasaki bus struggle.” This became an impetus for the progression of rights for those with disabilities.

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 March 22, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Entertainment Japan Wheelchair

(Update) Wheelchair User Denied Accessible Space at Tokyo Cinema, Aeon Cinema Company Apologizes and Social Media Responds

When Ryoko Nakajima posted about this incident on social media, in which she said she would be refused admission to the cinema next time, it went viral.

The next day, Aeon Entertainment, which operates the cinema chain, issued an apology:

“It has come to our attention that an Aeon Entertainment employee made an inappropriate comment to a customer while assisting the customer to move to another location after the customer had finished watching a movie. We regret the incident and believe that it was caused by a lack of guidance to our employees.”

There were various opinions floating around on social media with some making statements like:

“Everyone wants to choose their favorite seat.”

“Is it normal to request assistance outside of work?”