Category: Elderly

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 20, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Health Heatstroke Japan

Tokyo considers reducing burden on air conditioner purchases as elderly and disabled households suffer from heatstroke

In light of the recent spate of indoor heatstroke cases due to the record-breaking heatwave, it was learned on the 18th that Tokyo has decided to implement measures to reduce the financial burden on elderly and disabled households who purchase energy-efficient air conditioners. On the same day, four Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly factions each submitted requests to Governor Koike Yuriko as part of their heat countermeasures.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Podcast

Heavy Rain in Southwestern Japan, Flood Damage Assessment Underway [Podcast Episode]

Officials of Kirishima City in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, Japan, where many homes were flooded due to record rain on Friday, have begun inspecting the damage caused by the downpour. In the city, heavy rain emergency warnings were issued temporarily on Friday and many homes suffered flood damage. But details, such as the number of affected houses, are not yet known. A resident in his 70s whose home was flooded above the floor level said, “When I looked outside, the water came up to the height of my chest.”
He added, “I took a day off from work on Friday to dispose of furniture that was submerged in water.” A Kirishima city official says they will conduct a thorough inspection so that affected homes can be quickly restored. The inspections will continue on Sunday.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 8, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Elderly Japan Nursing Care Podcast

Japan to Launch Public Support System for Elderly Living Alone; Hospitalization, Nursing Homes, Funeral Arrangements Covered [Podcast Episode]

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is considering creating a new framework to support elderly people who live alone and have no relatives they can depend on. The framework would cover hospital admission, entry into nursing homes and post-mortem procedures such as funerals. The ministry aims to launch the program in fiscal 2027 with an eye toward revising the Social Welfare Law next year.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 5, 2025 1
Care Disability Elderly Japan Welfare

Japan to Launch Public Support System for Elderly Living Alone; Hospitalization, Nursing Homes, Funeral Arrangements Covered

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is considering creating a new framework to support elderly people who live alone and have no relatives they can depend on. The framework would cover hospital admission, entry into nursing homes and post-mortem procedures such as funerals. The ministry aims to launch the program in fiscal 2027 with an eye toward revising the Social Welfare Law next year.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Health Japan Welfare

Help Mark: Symbol’s Use is a Step toward Building a Supportive Society [The Japan News Editorial]

In a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office, half of the respondents said they knew about the ‘Help Mark’. However, this percentage shrank as respondents’ age increased, with only 30% of people age 70 or older recognizing it. These days, defamatory content on social media has become a societal problem. There is no end to cases of people participating in fraud and robbery that target senior citizens, as if they were doing ordinary part-time jobs. It is regrettable if there is a growing lack of consideration for others.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Podcast Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

Elderly and Disabled Struggled to Evacuate Amid Japan Tsunami Warnings [Podcast Episode]

When tsunami warnings were issued across parts of Japan on July 30, tens of thousands of residents were urged to evacuate coastal areas. However for some elderly and disabled people, evacuation proved either extremely difficult or impossible. An 80-year-old woman in Iwaki, caring for her 86-year-old husband who uses a wheelchair, explained her dilemma: “It’s physically impossible for me to push his wheelchair to the local elementary and junior high schools designated as evacuation centers. And there’s no way I’ll go and leave my husband behind.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 2, 2025 1
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

Elderly and Disabled Struggled to Evacuate Amid Japan Tsunami Warnings

When tsunami warnings were issued across parts of Japan on July 30, tens of thousands of residents were urged to evacuate coastal areas. However for some elderly and disabled people, evacuation proved either extremely difficult or impossible. An 80-year-old woman in Iwaki, caring for her 86-year-old husband who uses a wheelchair, explained her dilemma: “It’s physically impossible for me to push his wheelchair to the local elementary and junior high schools designated as evacuation centers. And there’s no way I’ll go and leave my husband behind.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 1, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Podcast Tsunami Tsunamis Observed in Japan after Kamchatka Quake

24 Hours After the Tsunami Warning [Podcast Episode]

All ’Tsunami Warnings’ are now lifted, and at the time of recording, only some ‘advisories’ for northern and eastern Japan remained. The government on Tuesday approved expanded disaster relief to better support the elderly and people with disabilities during emergencies, including armed attacks. There are concerns about disaster-related deaths, as some evacuees die due to their health deteriorating after evacuation. The government also sees a need to strengthen protection for evacuees in the event of armed attacks.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 31, 2025 1
Disability Disasters Elderly Japan

Japan expands aid for the elderly and people with disabilities in emergencies

The government on Tuesday approved expanded disaster relief to better support the elderly and people with disabilities during emergencies, including armed attacks. There are concerns about disaster-related deaths, as some evacuees die due to their health deteriorating after evacuation. The government also sees a need to strengthen protection for evacuees in the event of armed attacks.