Category: Human Rights

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 30, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Housing Human Rights Japan

Tokyo couple denied housing after disabilities revealed

A couple in Tokyo were all set to move into a new home when a real estate agent abruptly relayed a message from the apartment management company. “We regret to inform you that we cannot proceed with the contract.”They repeatedly tried to get an explanation from the company but could not gain access.
The couple then realized the company’s decision to reject their application came soon after the property owner learned about their mental disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Hospitals Human Rights Immigration Japan Medical

Japan to Tighten Immigration Rules Over Unpaid Medical and Insurance Bills

The Japanese government plans to introduce a “rigorous screening” system by June 2027 that will deny visa renewals to mid- and long-term foreign residents who have failed to pay medical expenses, taxes, or social insurance premiums. The move comes as the Cabinet prepares to approve policies aimed at creating “an orderly and harmonious society with foreign nationals.” A 2024 health ministry survey found that 65.3% of medical institutions accepting foreign patients had unpaid bills, with foreign nationals accounting for 29.3% of debtors but just 1.4% of the total amount owed. Despite these concerns, officials acknowledge there is no nationwide data on insurance payment compliance by foreign residents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Human Rights North Korea

Defector Talks About Stigma People with Disabilities Experience in North Korea [Podcast Episode]

Maeng Hyo-shim was born and raised in North Korea before she and her family defected in 2018. She graduated from high school in South Korea and is currently attending Seoul Women’s University. She works to raise awareness within the international community about the human rights situation in North Korea and was recently interviewed by NHK on the situation people with disabilities face in North Korea.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Human Rights Japan Prison

Disabled People International Japan Branch to Hold ‘Online Rally’ on “Prisoners with Disabilities and the Right to Use Wheelchairs”

The Japan Branch of the NPO Disabled People’ International (DPI), located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, will hold an online rally on the theme of “Prisoners with disabilities and their right to use wheelchairs” on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The rally is being held in response to a ruling was handed down in a lawsuit seeking ‘reasonable accommodation’ in Gifu, a lawsuit concerning an alleged human rights violation in which an inmate with walking difficulties was denied wheelchair access at Gifu Prison for over 10 years. On October 30, 2024, the Gifu District Court did not recognize the denial of wheelchair access as illegal and ruled against the plaintiff.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 27, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Human Rights Immigration Japan Korea

Korean Daily Newspaper ‘The Hankyoreh’ Reports on Disability Activist’s Deportation from Japan

The Korean daily newspaper ‘The Hankyoreh’ – ‘The Korean People’ – reported on November 25th about disability activist Park Kyung-Seok being deported from Japan at Narita Airport. Go Na-rin writing for the ‘Hankyoreh’, reported on the 25th that Park Kyung-seok, the leader of the Korean Disabled People’s Solidarity Against Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon) held a press conference in front of the Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Park displayed documents related to Japan’s “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act,” which were cited by Japanese immigration officials when denying his entry. Park stated, “The immigration officer had all the materials about me, from composite sketches to the latest news articles.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 27, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Human Rights Japan Korea Podcast

South Korean Disability Activist Park Kyung-Seok Deported at Narita [Podcast Episode]

On November 22nd, a Korean disability activist Park Kyung-Seok was deported from Japan after seven hours at Narita Airport, along with his two caregivers. The reason given for Park’s deportation was that in South Korea he has received a suspended sentence for violation of the Assemblies and Demonstrations Act in 2012 for attending an illegal demonstration in South Korea and that under Article 5, paragraph 1, paragraph 4 of the Japanese Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Park could be deported. However, Park had been allowed to enter Japan in 2016 and in May of this year, at the invitation of Amnesty International, according to Daisaku Seto of the ‘Anti-Poverty Network’.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 26, 2024 1
Disability Human Rights Immigration Japan Korea

Reasons Emerge for Korean Disability Activist Park Kyung-Seok’s Deportation at Narita

On November 22nd, a Korean disability activist Park Kyung-Seok was deported from Japan after seven hours at Narita Airport, along with his two caregivers. The reason given for Park’s deportation was that in South Korea he has received a suspended sentence for violation of the Assemblies and Demonstrations Act in 2012 for attending an illegal demonstration in South Korea and that under Article 5, paragraph 1, paragraph 4 of the Japanese Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Park could be deported. However, Park had been allowed to enter Japan in 2016 and in May of this year, at the invitation of Amnesty International, according to Daisaku Seto of the ‘Anti-Poverty Network’.

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.