Category: Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Podcast Welfare

Osaka Firm Suspected of Tens of Billions in Improper Disability Work Subsidies [Podcast Episode]

A welfare-related company based in Osaka City is suspected of having improperly received tens of billions of yen in disability employment support subsidies (payments) since fiscal 2024, city officials revealed on November 5. The company allegedly exploited a system that increases subsidy amounts based on the number of disabled workers who find employment in regular companies. Osaka City has launched an audit under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and is considering demanding repayment.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 8, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Sexual abuse

Woman with intellectual disability accuses facility director of sexual assault

A woman with a mild intellectual disability who worked at a welfare workshop in Tokyo has accused the facility’s director of sexually assaulting her, including forcing her to strip naked and touching her genitals. The case highlights the difficulty of preventing abuse of people with disabilities, who may struggle to recognize what happened as assault or to be believed when they speak up.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Japan Para Sports

Tokyo Deaflympics: Japan-made light signals used alongside pistols to start races

At the Deaflympics to kick off in Tokyo next week, “start lamps” will be used along with pistols on the racetrack as one of the innovative ways competitions are being adapted for hearing-impaired athletes.Masahisa Takemi, 50, a teacher at Tokyo Metropolitan Chuo School for the Deaf, created the signals to be used at the Nov. 15-26 games. “I want to create an environment where people do not have to give up despite their disabilities,” he said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Japan North Korea Politics

North Korea fires ballistic missile toward Sea of Japan

North Korea launched a ballistic missile Friday that apparently fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, the Japanese government said, warning of the possibility of further provocations from Pyongyang. The missile, the second of its kind to be launched since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office on Oct. 21, was fired at around 12:34 p.m. eastward from North Korea’s west coast and flew more than 450 kilometers at an altitude of up to 50 km, the Defense Ministry said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Japan Welfare

Osaka Firm Suspected of Tens of Billions in Improper Disability Work Subsidies

A welfare-related company based in Osaka City is suspected of having improperly received tens of billions of yen in disability employment support subsidies (payments) since fiscal 2024, city officials revealed on November 5. The company allegedly exploited a system that increases subsidy amounts based on the number of disabled workers who find employment in regular companies. Osaka City has launched an audit under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and is considering demanding repayment.