AI being employed to translate sign language to help deaf in Japan
A system jointly developed by the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo and SoftBank Corp. converts sign-language gestures into written text.
Category: Japan
Ex-nurse gets life sentence for poisoning deaths, judge cites the accused’s possible autism whilst passing sentence
The judge said that Kuboki exhibited signs of an autism spectrum disorder at the time of the crimes and has been in a state of depression, but found that she was mentally competent enough to bear full responsibility for her deeds.
Japan Mulls Free COVID-19 Tests for People with No Symptoms
The Japanese government plans to conduct antigen and polymerase chain reaction tests for the novel coronavirus for people with no COVID-19 symptoms free of charge, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
Man Arrested after Starting a Fire on Kyushu Bullet Train
The suspect is a resident of the city of Fukuoka, the capital of the namesake prefecture, adjacent to Kumamoto Prefecture, admitted to the crime, saying that he was trying to copy the knife and arson attack on a Keio Corp rapid train in Tokyo on Oct. 31, which left more than a dozen people injured, police sources said.
Survey suggests Tokyo Paralympics promoted understanding of disabilities
Seventy percent of respondents in the survey, conducted on people with a wide variety of disabilities, such as hearing, mental, and visual impairments, in 45 of the 47 prefectures said the hosting of the sports event led to a better understanding of their own disability or disabilities, in general.
Japan’s Welfare Ministry announces new assisted living policy for people with disabilities
On November 5th, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced a policy to establish a new type of group home (GH) where people with disabilities live together with support in a building like an apartment for those who want to live alone or live with their partner.
Kobe Man Found Not Guilty of Killing 3, Injuring 2 due to the “normal functioning of his mind hindered”
In a lay judge trial, Presiding Judge Kentaro Iijima recognized that the defendant was in a state of insanity at the time of the incident due to a mental disorder, acquitting him of charges including murder.
New anorexic patients up 60% among young people in Japan amid pandemic
The number of young people in Japan newly diagnosed with the eating disorder anorexia rose about 60 percent in fiscal 2020 from the previous year, due possibly to increased stress and anxiety amid the coronavirus pandemic, a survey showed.
Dogs, Cats Healing COVID-19 Loneliness in Japan
Animal therapy, designed to heal people through contacts with animals, is spreading in Japan amid the COVID-19 crisis.
A university in Tokyo has hosted a session to introduce therapy dogs to students and alleviate their loneliness attributed to the prolonged novel coronavirus crisis, while facilities for disabled people are developing environments that allow residents to live with animals.
Party with two elected members with disabilities, the Reiwa Shinsengumi, wins three seats in Japan’s election for the Lower House
The Reiwa Shinsenguimi is led by the former actor Taro Yamamoto, and two members of the party whom have disabilities, Yasuhiko Funago and Eiko Kimura won seats in the House of Councillors , or ‘Upper House’ in the 2019 election.
Barrier Free Japan 