Category: Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 24, 2024 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Japan Mental Health

Nagano Murder Hearings Not in Sight 1 Year after Incident

Despite Saturday marking a full year since a fatal stabbing and shooting incident in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, it remains uncertain when hearings will begin in the trial. According to his lawyer, Aoki has accepted visits but has shown little interest in most things, remaining silent about the incident, in which four people were killed. He is being held at a facility in Nagano, after he was indicted last November following three months of detention for psychiatric evaluation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 18, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #27: Japan’s Supreme Court Makes ‘Accommodations’ So Disabled Plaintiffs Can Attend Forced Sterilization Case

Japan’s Supreme Court will take measures to accommodate disabled plaintiffs in five damages lawsuits over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenic protection law, including setting up ramps for wheelchair users. It will be the first time for the top court to implement measures for disabled people on a large scale.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 17, 2024 1
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan

Japan’s Top Court to Take Measures for Disabled Plaintiffs Over Forced Sterilization 

Japan’s Supreme Court will take measures to accommodate disabled plaintiffs in five damages lawsuits over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenic protection law, including setting up ramps for wheelchair users, it was learned Thursday.

It will be the first time for the top court to implement measures for disabled people on a large scale.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 16, 2024 1
Care Disability Japan Megumi Corporation Welfare

Japan’s Health, Labor and Welfare Minister says he wants to deal with disability welfare service compensation fraud in an appropriate manner

It has become clear that group homes for people with disabilities operated by Megumi Co., Ltd., headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, are overcharging food costs, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has also revealed that they are also fraudulently charging fees for welfare services for the disabled.

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 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Cancer Health Japan

Kidney Cancer Mutation Found in 70 Pct of Japan Patients: Study

A unique genetic mutation was found in more than 70 pct of certain kidney cancer patients in Japan, a higher percentage than in other countries, an international team of researchers said Tuesday. 

Its cause is unclear, and there is a high possibility that unknown carcinogenic factors are involved, said the team of researchers, including from the National Cancer Center Japan. The finding was published in the British science journal Nature on May 1.