Category: Discrimination

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Japan

‘My Physically Disabled Son’s Prospective In-Laws Oppose the Marriage’ [‘Dear Troubleshooter’, The Japan News]

My two older children are twins, and they both have physical disabilities. They both say they have never resented their bodies, although I believe they’ve gone through difficulties. One of the twins has been with his girlfriend for more than five years. She’s lovely and they’re talking about getting married soon. However, her parents are against the marriage. I think they’re worried about their daughter marrying a person who is severely disabled. Should I not say anything and leave it up to my son and his girlfriend? It’s difficult because I feel helpless as a parent.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 3, 2025 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Discrimination Employment Japan Podcast

Chiba civil engineering company settles lawsuit over “insufficient understanding” of disability [Podcast Episode]

A lawsuit filed by a man in his 30s from Chiba Prefecture against his former civil engineering company in Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture for damages, alleging that he was discriminated against and forced to resign from the civil engineering company where he was employed as a disabled person through Hello Work because the company did not take his developmental disability into consideration, has been settled in the Chiba District Court. The former employer will pay the man approximately 300,000 yen in settlement money. According to the man’s attorney, the settlement was reached in October last year. The settlement terms stated that the former employer apologized to the man for not fully understanding the characteristics of his developmental disability and would pay him the settlement money. 

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 1, 2025 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Discrimination Employment Japan

Chiba civil engineering company pays former employee settlement over “insufficient understanding of developmental disorders”

A lawsuit filed by a man in his 30s from Chiba Prefecture against his former civil engineering company in Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture for damages, alleging that he was discriminated against and forced to resign from the civil engineering company where he was employed as a disabled person through Hello Work because the company did not take his developmental disability into consideration, has been settled in the Chiba District Court. The former employer will pay the man approximately 300,000 yen in settlement money. According to the man’s attorney, the settlement was reached in October last year. The settlement terms stated that the former employer apologized to the man for not fully understanding the characteristics of his developmental disability and would pay him the settlement money. 

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 28, 2024 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Discrimination Employment Japan

45 Year-old Prefectural Office Worker with Developmental Disabilities Talks About Being Bullied at Work: “I was told it was my fault”

Yamamoto Takafumi (pseudonym, 45 years old), who has ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Yamamoto works at a prefectural office, but communication at work is not going well, and when he disclosed his ASD to his superiors, he began to suffer power harassment every day, and is currently on leave due to adjustment disorder.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 12, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Eugenics Japan Relationships

(Update) Disabled man denied entry to matchmaking party in Tokyo

A man who has experienced nightmare dates with women he met online believed that a Tokyo government-related matchmaking service would provide a safe and perhaps last opportunity to find love.
But the not-for-profit organization that arranged the matchmaking event rejected the man’s application to attend after learning about his minor intellectual disability. The organizer said in a notice that participants are “limited to mentally and physically healthy people.” The Bureau of Citizens, Culture and Sport found fault with the way the organization treated the man after learning about his disability, and it temporarily suspended the organization’s event announcements on the website.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 22, 2024 1
Disability Discrimination Eugenics Japan

Man with Intellectual Disability Refused Participation in Tokyo Matchmaking Event, Told “only people who are healthy in body and mind are eligible to participate”

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has taken issue with the response of the organizing group regarding the participation of a man with a mild intellectual disability at a matchmaking party posted on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s website. The man was refused participation immediately after declaring his disability. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has asked the organizers to “take sincere action,” and the group has expressed its intention to improve.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 9, 2024 1
Disability Discrimination Forced Sterilization Japan

Japan’s Diet Passes Forced Sterilization Compensation Bill

The Diet enacted the Forced Sterilization Compensation Bill into law on Tuesday. The compensation law will take effect three months after its promulgation. While a similar law enacted in 2019 did not explicitly mention the state’s apology in its preamble, the compensation law states that the Diet and the government seriously acknowledge their responsibility and sincerely apologize for creating and implementing an unconstitutional law.

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.