Category: Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 17, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Crime Disability Japan

Mother Ordered to Pay ¥30M in Abuse Damages Causing Mental Disorders

A lawsuit in which a 36-year-old man from Kanagawa Prefecture sought damages from his mother, claiming that abuse he suffered as a child caused him to develop mental disorders that left him unable to work, resulted in the Yokohama District Court recognizing the causal link between the abuse and his inability to maintain employment and ordering the mother to pay approximately ¥35.45 million in compensation, it was learned on the 16th. The ruling was dated Jan. 27.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 16, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Japan Osaka

Harassment of a Woman May Be Behind Osaka Stabbing

A dispute stemming from alleged harassment of a woman may have triggered an incident in the western Japan city of Osaka at the weekend, in which a teenage male was stabbed to death and two others were injured, investigative sources said Monday. The suspect is believed to have engaged in nuisance behavior toward a woman acquainted with the victims shortly before the attack, which happened at the entrance of a building in the city’s Dotonbori downtown district late Saturday night, according to the sources.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 16, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan’s new guidelines warn employers not to mislabel access requests as harassment [Podcast Episode]

The guidelines on harassment by customers make clear that employers must take care not to interpret requests for reasonable accommodation from persons with disabilities as customer harassment. They note that discriminatory treatment is prohibited and the provision of reasonable accommodation is mandatory under the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and state that appropriate responses are required through “constructive dialogue” to build mutual understanding.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2026 1
Crime Disability Japan Mental Health

1 dead, 2 injured in stabbing in Osaka, suspect arrested

A 17-year-old boy was killed, and two other boys were injured after they were stabbed in Osaka’s busy Dotombori shopping area late Saturday, police said. A man in his 20s was arrested Sunday on suspicion of murder after fleeing the scene on foot, according to an investigative source. Police said they were informed that he knew the three victims and they had a dispute shortly before the attack.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan

Japan’s new guidelines warn employers not to mislabel disability requests as harassment

The guidelines on harassment by customers make clear that employers must take care not to interpret requests for reasonable accommodation from persons with disabilities as customer harassment. They note that discriminatory treatment is prohibited and the provision of reasonable accommodation is mandatory under the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and state that appropriate responses are required through “constructive dialogue” to build mutual understanding.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Medical Podcast Welfare

Japan Approves Muscular Dystrophy Drug Price of 304 Million Yen [Podcast Episode]

An advisory panel to Japan’s health minister decided Friday to allow public health insurance coverage for a gene therapy for muscular dystrophy beginning Feb. 20 and set the drug’s official price at about 304.97 million yen. Elevidys, a one-time treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory patients aged 3-7, will become the country’s most expensive drug.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 14, 2026 1
Disability Genetics Health Japan Medical

Japan Approves Muscular Dystrophy Drug Price of 300 M. Yen

An advisory panel to Japan’s health minister decided Friday to allow public health insurance coverage for a gene therapy for muscular dystrophy beginning Feb. 20 and set the drug’s official price at about 304.97 million yen. 
   Elevidys, a one-time treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory patients aged 3-7, will become the country’s most expensive drug.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 14, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan’s ‘first visit date’ rule shows gaps in disability pension system [Podcast Episode]

A Tokyo man in his 50s who was forced to quit his IT job after developing Parkinson’s disease faced difficulties obtaining Japan’s disability pension due to the system’s requirement to prove the date of first medical consultation, highlighting structural hurdles for applicants. Kenichi Sato (pseudonym), 54, was told he needed to verify an initial clinic visit from about 20 years ago, but records had been discarded under the legal five-year retention rule for medical charts.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 13, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Welfare

Japan’s ‘first visit date’ rule shows gaps in disability pension system

A Tokyo man in his 50s who was forced to quit his IT job after developing Parkinson’s disease faced difficulties obtaining Japan’s disability pension due to the system’s requirement to prove the date of first medical consultation, highlighting structural hurdles for applicants. Kenichi Sato (pseudonym), 54, was told he needed to verify an initial clinic visit from about 20 years ago, but records had been discarded under the legal five-year retention rule for medical charts.