Two deaf students have appealed to Japan’s Supreme Court after lower courts rejected their claim that being denied classes in Japanese Sign Language violated their right to education. The pair are seeking 11 million yen in damages from the Hokkaidō government, a case their lawyer called a test of basic human rights protections for people with disabilities.
To promote social participation for people with disabilities, on August 30th, the Yamanashi prefectural government held a fashion show at the Aeon Mall Kofu Showa in the town of Showa in the prefecture, featuring both professional models and models with disabilities.
Japan set a new record for ambulance transports due to heat-related illness this summer, the government said Wednesday, surpassing last year’s figure amid unprecedented heat waves and an unusually early end to the rainy season. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said in preliminary data that 99,573 people across Japan were taken to hospitals for heat-related illness between May 1 and Sunday.
Public prosecutors Wednesday sought the death penalty for Masanori Aoki, 34, who has been accused of murdering four people in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, in May 2023. Aoki has been indicted on charges of fatally stabbing two local women and killing two police officers with a knife and a hunting gun in the city of Nakano on the evening of May 25, 2023.
Held at Fukuoka City’s Hakatanomori Athletic Stadium on September 23rd, approximately 300 athletes aged 12 to 79, including those with physical and intellectual disabilities, competed. Athletes were divided into 15 events based on their disability, including the 50-meter sprint, 1500-meter sprint, long jump, and shot put, and attempted to break their personal records. For the first time, a “photo-stimulation start” system was introduced in a competition for hearing-impaired athletes, using light to signal the start.
In response to the higher rate of disability pension denials last fiscal year compared to the year before, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare conducted a detailed review of over 2,800 claims that had been denied between April and July last year. As a result, 124 of these cases were re-evaluated and will now be approved for payment. The ministry has announced it will continue to investigate recognition decisions and publish monthly updates on the progress.
Nissan Motor Co. has shown to the media a prototype car equipped with its next-generation “ProPilot” driver assistance system capable of hands-free autonomous driving in urban areas.
Japan’s Environment Ministry plans to step up efforts to prevent elderly people from suffering heatstroke indoors, including at home. It has requested 1 billion yen for related measures under the government’s fiscal 2026 budget.
Retired visually impaired swimmer Junichi Kawai was named the next commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency on Friday and will become the first Paralympian to assume the post when his appointment takes effect Oct. 1. Kawai expressed his determination to fulfill his role, saying at a press conference in Tokyo, “My goal is to build a society where citizens recognize the value and appeal of sports.” As it is rare for a government body to be led by someone who is totally visually impaired, he added, “The fact that someone like me has been appointed to this position shows that times have changed, and I hope this means a lot to many people.”
In response to the higher rate of disability pension denials last fiscal year compared to the year before, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare conducted a detailed review of over 2,800 claims that had been denied between April and July last year. As a result, 124 of these cases were re-evaluated and will now be approved for payment. The ministry has announced it will continue to investigate recognition decisions and publish monthly updates on the progress.
Barrier Free Japan