Category: Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 19, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Gender Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #5: Japan Gender Identity Society Renamed to Avoid Medicalized Language

What was formerly the GID (Gender Identity Disorder) Society, which promotes research on transgender people whose minds and bodies do not match, officially announced at its general meeting held in Okinawa Prefecture on March 17th that it will change its name. The change, announced Sunday at its general meeting, is in line with the World Health Organization’s recent advice to use the term “gender incongruence” instead of “gender disorder.” The society’s new English name is yet to be formally decided.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 17, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #4: McDonalds App Fail A Barrier to News Stories!

Ok, this is a bit of fun, but behind it are two serious points. Firstly since the term ‘shogai’ or ‘障害’ can mean ‘failure’, ‘obstacle’ as well as ‘disability’, the algorithm Gods of Google won’t quickly show up recent news stories about disability in Japan because everyone is talking about the McDonald’s App ‘fail’ that happened on Friday.

Secondly, a reliance on technology to accomplish tasks like buying food is also a concern for me as a person with disabilities.

I’m not always lovin’ it.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 17, 2024 1
Disability Gender Human Rights Japan

Japan Society for Gender Dysphoria Renamed as “It’s not a disorder”

What was formerly the GID (Gender Identity Disorder) Society, which promotes research on transgender people whose minds and bodies do not match, officially announced at its general meeting held in Okinawa Prefecture on March 17th that it will change its name to the Japan GI (Gender Identity) Society. The name change was made in response to the growing belief that transgenderism is not a disorder and is no longer used as an international diagnostic name.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 16, 2024 Number of comments0
Abuse Hokkaido Hokkaido Farm Abuse Case Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #3: Further Details on the ‘Hokkaido Farm Abuse Case’

Whilst reading about the ranch operator in northern Japan’s Hokkaido who admitted in court on March 12th that they had not paid intellectually disabled workers for decades, giving them only “snacks and juice,” Barrier Free Japan went back to their blog and re-read reports.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 15, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Welfare

Japan’s Disability Welfare Service Businesses May Face Significant Reduction in Remuneration

The remuneration paid by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to “welfare service offices for persons with disabilities” will be revised in April, and at some businesses, the remuneration will be paid according to the amount of time users receive services. Some of the businesses that may see a significant decrease in remuneration have voiced their concerns that they will not be able to continue their business, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is considering how to respond to this issue.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 15, 2024 Number of comments0
Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan Mental Health

13 Years After Major Earthquake Miyagi Governor Stresses Need for Psychological Care

The governor of Miyagi, one of the northeastern Japan prefectures hit hard by a massive earthquake and tsunami 13 years ago, emphasized the need for psychological care for those affected by the disaster.

The number of people experiencing mental issues has gone up due to changes in their environment following the March 11, 2011, disaster, Murai said, adding that the number of elderly residents living alone has increased as well.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 14, 2024 3
Abuse Disability Employment Hokkaido Intellectual disabilities Japan

Hokkaido ranch operator in abuse suit admits to paying disabled workers in snacks, juice

A ranch operator in northern Japan’s Hokkaido admitted in court on March 12 that they had not paid intellectually disabled workers for decades, giving them only “snacks and juice.”

Three mentally disabled men in their 60s, all living in Hokkaido, have filed suit in the Sapporo District Court against the operators of the Endo ranch in Eniwa, Hokkaido, plus the municipal government there for some 94 million yen (about $635,000), alleging decades of abuse and poor working conditions.