Category: End of Life Care

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Election End of Life Care Japan Podcast

Sanseito’s Leader Kamiya Calls for Self-funded End-of-Life Healthcare and ‘death with dignity’ Laws [Podcast Episode]

During the ongoing campaign for the House of Councillors election, the political party Sanseito has drawn attention with a controversial pledge: that all medical expenses for life-sustaining treatment at the end of life should be entirely self-funded by patients or their families. Party leader Sohei Kamiya clarified the policy’s intent on July 8 while campaigning in Morioka City. Speaking to reporters, Kamiya explained that the proposal was intended to raise public awareness about the financial realities of end-of-life care. “I included it with the intention of raising awareness,” he stated, “that it would be difficult if people don’t save up when they are facing their final moments.” Beyond the funding issue, Sanseito is also calling for the establishment of legislation to support death with dignity. The party advocates for a legal framework that both honours patient wishes and offers protection to medical professionals making end-of-life decisions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 10, 2025 1
Assisted Dying Disability Elderly Election End of Life Care Health Japan

Sanseito’s Leader Kamiya Calls for Self-funded End-of-Life Healthcare and ‘death with dignity’ Legislation

During the ongoing campaign for the House of Councillors election, the political party Sanseito has drawn attention with a controversial pledge: that all medical expenses for life-sustaining treatment at the end of life should be entirely self-funded by patients or their families. Party leader Sohei Kamiya clarified the policy’s intent on July 8 while campaigning in Morioka City. Speaking to reporters, Kamiya explained that the proposal was intended to raise public awareness about the financial realities of end-of-life care. “I included it with the intention of raising awareness,” he stated, “that it would be difficult if people don’t save up when they are facing their final moments.” Beyond the funding issue, Sanseito is also calling for the establishment of legislation to support death with dignity. The party advocates for a legal framework that both honors patient wishes and offers protection to medical professionals making end-of-life decisions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Elderly End of Life Care Japan

Around 68,000 elderly die alone in Japan annually: police

About 68,000 people aged 65 and over in Japan are estimated to die alone at home unnoticed annually, data collected by the National Police Agency indicated Tuesday.

Preliminary police figures showed 21,716 people nationwide died “lonely deaths” from January to March. Nearly 80 percent of that number, or 17,034 people, were aged 65 and over.

The police agency is expected to continue collecting the data as part of government efforts to tackle the issue, as the country is grappling with a rapidly greying society.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 1, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability End of Life Care Japan

Support for people with disabilities lecture in Gunma discusses “life-prolonging treatment”

In 2021, Keiko Emura lost her son at the age of 33. She recalls that the decision to end-of-life care was extremely difficult, but she points out that she was able to “live the way she is now because she was able to see the end of her child’s life.” She said that it is important for parents and children to discuss life-prolonging treatment in case of an emergency.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 15, 2019 Number of comments0
Disability End of Life Care Japan

Tokyo to allow ambulance staff to halt resuscitation and transportation for terminally ill patients if requested

The Tokyo Fire Department will introduce on Monday standards on stopping resuscitative efforts for patients in the terminal phase of their illness. The metropolitan department has had no clear criteria for how ambulance workers should respond if they are asked to stop resuscitative efforts.