Category: Japan

Disability Japan Sagamihara

Shinya Tateiwa, Sociologist who Researched People with Disabilities Dies, Aged 62

Shinya Tateiwa, a sociologist and professor at Ritsumeikan University, who was known for his essays on the disabled and euthanasia, including a critique of the murder case at a facility for people with disabilities in Sagamihara, passed away at 1:33 p.m. on July 31 at a hospital in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City due to a malignant lymphoma. He was 62 years old.

Disability Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: “The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Disabilities”: Book Explaining Legal Terms and Issues Published in Japan

In an effort to make people with disabilities aware of the reality of their situation, the Japan Council on Disability (Tokyo) has published an encyclopedia that explains issues such as “support for children with disabilities” and “disasters and people with disabilities” in addition to laws and terminology. The encyclopedia was written not only by academics, but also by people with disabilities and their supporters to reflect their perspectives on the frontlines.


Disability Japan

“The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Disabilities” Explaining Legal Terms and Issues Published in Japan

In an effort to make people with disabilities aware of the reality of their situation, the Japan Council on Disability (Tokyo) has published an encyclopedia that explains issues such as “support for children with disabilities” and “disasters and people with disabilities” in addition to laws and terminology. The encyclopedia was written not only by academics, but also by people with disabilities and their supporters to reflect their perspectives on the frontlines.

Health Japan

Japan’s Average Life Expectancy Continued to Fall in 2022

In 2022, men’s average life expectancy in Japan fell 0.42 year from 2021 to 81.05 years, and that of women dropped 0.49 year to 87.09
years. The drops were “largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic,”
a ministry official said.

The COVID-19 pandemic is seen to have shortened the average life expectancy in 2022 by 0.12 year for men and 0.13 year for women, larger than 0.10 year and 0.07 year, respectively, in 2021.

Disability Japan Podcast Sagamihara

Disability News Japan Podcast: First Memorial Speech by a Resident of ‘Sagamihara Massacre’ Care Facility Given by Yukari Okutsu on Seven Year Anniversary of Killings

Yukari Okutsu (54), who has lived in the facility since before the attack, told the gathering at the ceremony that she tries to ease the anxiety of her fellow residents by talking to them when they are in trouble. She went on to say, “My 19 friends, please continue watching over us from heaven.” Okutsu gave the first memorial speech by a resident of the facility.

Crime Disability Japan Sagamihara

First Memorial Speech by Resident of ‘Sagamihara Massacre’ Care Facility Given by Yukari Okutsu on Seven Year Anniversary of Killings

Yukari Okutsu, who has lived in the facility since before the attack, told the gathering that she tries to ease the anxiety of her fellow residents by talking to them when they are in trouble. She went on to say, “My 19 friends, please continue watching over us from heaven.” Okutsu gave the first memorial speech by a resident of the facility.