Intellectual disabilities – Page 4

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 28, 2024 0

Parents’ Association created pamphlet to support voters with intellectual disabilities

In order to encourage disabled young people over 18 to exercise their voting rights, a Fukushima City group made up of parents with intellectually disabled children created a pamphlet introducing the “proxy voting system” for the upcoming House of Representatives election, and is calling for active voting.

The “proxy voting system” is a system in which a polling station official can write the ballot for you if you have difficulty filling it out yourself due to a disability, illness, or injury.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 23, 2024 0

2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Education Intellectual disabilities Japan Welfare

200,000 Children with Disabilities in “Special Needs Classes” Reports Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in FY2022 Survey

A survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on the 6th revealed that the number of children with disabilities who used “part-time class instruction” at public and private elementary, junior high and high schools, where they are enrolled in regular classes but receive lessons in separate rooms as needed, reached 198,343 in 2022, a new record high. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities advocates “inclusive education,” in which children with disabilities are not separated from other children and students, but Japan’s current situation has been criticized as going against this.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 11, 2024 1

Intellectual disabilities Japan Politics

LDP Hopeful Shinjiro Koizumi accused of being “intellectually low” at press conference announcing candidacy

The Tokyo Shimbun reported that although he is considered one of the “favorite” candidates due to his high name recognition and ability to communicate, there are strong concerns about his ability to answer questions as prime minister, as he has made some unique statements at international conferences, such as “I will tackle climate change in a sexy way.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 18, 2024 1

Abuse Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Sexual abuse

Osaka Group Home for Disabled Manager Admits to Sexually Abusing, Photographing Two Intellectually Disabled Women

A man who ran a group home for people with disabilities admitted to habitually sexually abusing two women who stayed there, also filming obscene scenes with a smartphone. In court, he repeatedly stated that “it was his own weakness that led him to commit the crime.” The prosecution denounced the crime as “treating the victims as an outlet for sexual desire and severely violating their personalities,” and sought a 10-year prison sentence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 8, 2024 0

Disability Education Intellectual disabilities Japan Sex Sexual abuse

60% of Teachers at Japan’s Schools for Intellectually Disabled Have Dealt with Issues Related to Sex On SNS: Survey

A survey conducted by Satoko Tsuda, associate professor at Chubu University, and her colleagues found that more than 60% of teachers in charge of student guidance at special-needs schools for children with intellectual disabilities have dealt with problems related to sex on social networking sites (SNS). Only about 30% of the respondents answered that they had provided literacy education on risks and other issues.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 16, 2024 0

Disability Education Intellectual disabilities Japan

Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education to abolish boarding schools for intellectually disabled children by the end of FY 2024

The Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education has decided to abolish boarding schools at both Tochigi and Nasu special needs schools in March 2025. The decision was made public at an information session for parents that began on July 10th. These were the only two boarding schools for intellectually disabled children in the prefecture, so all such schools will be abolished.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 9, 2024 0

Abuse Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #41: Kyoto men accused of forcing disabled person into washing machine

Kyoto police arrested two men on Thursday for allegedly forcing a disabled coworker into an industrial washing machine and turning it on, injuring him. On March 26 at around 2:30 p.m, the two suspects reportedly told their coworker, a 50-year-old man with an intellectual disability, “You stink! Get in the washing machine.”
They allegedly proceeded to force him into the machine and turn it on, resulting in injuries that required two weeks to heal. The victim sought medical attention a few days after the incident. The doctor who treated him noticed bruises and other injuries all over his body and reported the case to the police.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 3, 2024 0

Disability Hikikomori Intellectual disabilities Japan

1.14 million people with intellectual disabilities living at home in Japan, an increase of 170,000, highest ever number, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Reports

On May 31st, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced the estimated number of people with intellectual disabilities living at home or elsewhere nationwide as of December 2022, is reaching 1.14 million.

This is an increase of 178,000 from the previous survey in 2004 and the largest number ever. The Ministry analyzes that “one of the factors may be the increase in the acquisition of the Rehabilitation Certificate, mainly for infants and children.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 31, 2024 1

Disability Health Intellectual disabilities Japan

Male Resident of Osaka Facility for Disabled Dies After Dental Treatment, Chest Compressions Investigated

A 69-year-old male resident of a facility for the disabled in Yodogawa Ward, Osaka, lost consciousness while undergoing treatment for a cavity and later died.

He is said to have suffered acute respiratory failure due to pressure on the chest and other areas. At the time, five staff members at the facility were holding the man down to prevent him from moving during treatment, and the police are currently investigating the details.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 30, 2024 2

Intellectual disabilities Japan Organ Donation

Japan’s organ network voided donor intentions of mentally disabled

Japan’s key organ transplant network has invalidated the organ donation wishes of all individuals officially recognized as being intellectually disabled, the health ministry said Wednesday.

According to the operational guidelines of Japan’s organ transplant law, if a mentally disabled individual aged 15 or older lacks the capacity to express valid intent, organ removal should not be carried out.

However, the guidelines also state that an individual’s attending physician should assess whether their disability prevents them from expressing meaningful intent.