Category: Golden Week

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 4, 2026 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Disability Elderly Golden Week Japan

Elderly People in Japan Still Cautioned against COVID during Golden Week

While COVID-19 infections have decreased significantly since Japan downgraded the disease to the same category as seasonal influenza almost three years ago, elderly people and others are still cautioned against the risk of contracting the virus during the country’s ongoing Gold Week holiday period. The Japan Institute for Health Security continues to monitor COVID-19 cases at about 3,000 medical institutions nationwide. In the week through April 19, the number of cases per institution was 0.68, less than half of 1.77 a year earlier. The figure was 3.64 two years before, when the survey covered about 5,000 medical institutions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Golden Week Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast Welfare

Golden Week ‘Shogai Podcast Shorts’ 2: Greenery Day [Podcast Episode]

In response to a Kyodo News report that the number of people being denied Japan’s national disability pension has surged in fiscal 2024, the National Federation of Associations for the Support of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Zenkoku Te o Tsunagu Ikuseikai Rengōkai), which consists of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families, issued a protest statement by May 2, saying, “If the report is true, it cannot be overlooked.” The organization is demanding that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare verify the facts and publicly disclose the results.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 3, 2025 Number of comments0
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.