Category: Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 28, 2025 1
Disability Japan Welfare

Higashiosaka Disability Employment Support Providers Penalized for Fraudulent Claims; Providers Dispute Allegations

NHK has reported that the city of Higashiosaka announced that it has decided to revoke the designation of two offices operated by a nonprofit organization (NPO) providing employment support for people with disabilities, after determining that they fraudulently received over 120 million yen in subsidies by falsifying service provision records. The city is also demanding repayment of the funds. One of the offices responded to inquiries by stating that it plans to contest the decision in court and will seek a reassessment of the penalties.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 28, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Following Media Reports of Disability Pension Denials, Japan Pension Service Secretly Re-evaluated Over a Thousand Claims [Podcast Episode]

It was learned on the 25th through interviews with involved parties that the Japan Pension Service (JPS) secretly re-evaluated over a thousand cases that had previously been denied disability pension benefits in fiscal 2024, as part of an internal review following media reports. Normally, such cases are not re-evaluated, making this an unusual move.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 27, 2025 1
Coronavirus COVID-19 Disability Japan

Doctors denounce continued COVID restrictions at Japan’s hospitals

For families who want to see hospitalized loved ones, Japan appears to be stuck in time. Hospital websites continue to post “COVID-19” bulletins about visitations such as requiring masks and temperature checks, setting time limits and restricting the number of visitors. Now a group of physicians and social workers is demanding the restrictions be abolished or curbed, calling them a violation of human rights. “It’s unthinkable to me that they’re still this strict,” said a doctor in his 30s from the Tokyo metropolitan area on condition of anonymity, expressing a mixture of surprise and disgust at the continued COVID policies.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 26, 2025 1
Disability Japan Welfare

Secret Re-evaluation of Disability Pension Cases Following Media Reports – Over 1,000 Denials Reviewed by Japan Pension Service

It was learned on the 25th through interviews with involved parties that the Japan Pension Service (JPS) secretly re-evaluated over a thousand cases that had previously been denied disability pension benefits in fiscal 2024, as part of an internal review following media reports. Normally, such cases are not re-evaluated, making this an unusual move.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Blind Disability Japan Podcast Technology

“We are being left behind”: Visually Impaired People in Japan Struggle with Digitalization [Podcast Episode]

Toyoharu Yoshiizumi (67), head of the information department at the Japan Federation of Organizations of the Visually Impaired (and himself visually impaired), pointed out, “As digitalization progresses, we are being left behind.” He said the increase in unmanned stores is also a concern, saying, “Without store clerks, reasonable consideration cannot be given. I think it is difficult for businesses, but I would like them to improve the environment so that visually impaired people can use the facilities.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Disasters Japan

Japan to Create Public-Private Network on Disaster Relief

The Japanese government plans to launch a group for exchanges among local governments, companies and nonprofit organizations during ordinary times so that they can collaborate smoothly over disaster relief. It aims to build a network that facilitates cooperation by grasping the human and material resources held by the private sector and NPOs, ahead of the creation of a government agency dedicated to disaster response in fiscal 2026.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 24, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free developmental disabilities Disability Japan Travel

Despite Half of Commuters with Disabilities Experiencing Problems Using Trains in Japan, Only 10% of People with Mental Disabilities Request Reasonable Accommodation

Half of people with mental disabilities or developmental disabilities in Japan have experienced problems using trains, but only 10% have requested reasonable accommodation from train staff, according to a survey conducted by the mental disability group Polke on May 2nd. The revised Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, which will come into force in April 2024, requires private businesses, including trains, to provide reasonable accommodation, but the survey report points out that only 10% of people have requested reasonable accommodation, which is a “very serious problem.” It recommended that training for disabled people’s organizations and train staff to learn together needs to be improved.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 23, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

As Denial of Disability Pensions in Japan Double, Health Ministry Will “investigate the actual situation and make it public” [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Takamaro Fukuoka announced that he will investigate the actual situation and make the results public in one month. The incident began with a Kyodo News report dated April 28th. The report stated that the number of people who were denied disability pensions in fiscal 2024 is more than double the number in fiscal 2023, reaching about 30,000. It has also been mentioned that the requirements have become stricter since the director of the Japan Pension Service Disability Pension Center was replaced in October 2023, and that centre staff may be inducing doctors to deny pensions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 22, 2025 1
Barrier Free Blind Japan

“We are being left behind”: Visually Impaired People in Japan Struggle with Digitalization

Toyoharu Yoshiizumi (67), head of the information department at the Japan Federation of Organizations of the Visually Impaired (and himself visually impaired), pointed out, “As digitalization progresses, we are being left behind.” He said the increase in unmanned stores is also a concern, saying, “Without store clerks, reasonable consideration cannot be given. I think it is difficult for businesses, but I would like them to improve the environment so that visually impaired people can use the facilities.”