Category: Podcast

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 9, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks [Podcast Episode]

It was learned on January 6th that the medical corporation foundation “Aoyama-kai” has decided to end two disability consultation support services under contract with the city at the end of March and has notified the city. The relationship of trust with the city was damaged by Mayor Kaichi Deguchi’s social media posts during last year’s mayoral election and the subsequent response, and the foundation has decided that continuing the services any longer is difficult.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 5, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Hyogo Independent Living Japan Podcast

Hyogo Disability Rights Groups to Rally in Kobe Following Facility Violence Reports [Podcast Episode]

People with disabilities in Hyogo Prefecture will hold an emergency rally in Kobe on January 24th to protest violence at residential care facilities and to call for the early realization of deinstitutionalization. The gathering was prompted by reports that a resident with intellectual and physical disabilities died after being assaulted by staff at a facility in Sanda City. Organized by the Independent Living Center ‘Ring Ring’ and co-hosted by ‘Remember 7.26 Kobe Action’, the event will feature speakers from ‘Hyogo People First’ and will focus on disability rights and the need for community-based living.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 4, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Politics Sanae Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi Aims for “Inclusive Society” at Barrier-Free Awards Ceremony [Podcast Episode]

Speaking at an award ceremony recognizing contributions to the promotion of barrier-free and universal design initiatives on December 24th 2025, Prime Minister Takaichi said: “The society we aim for is an “inclusive society” in which all people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, respect each other’s human rights and dignity, support each other, and are able to enjoy vibrant lives.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 31, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan Pension Service Officials Discarded Doctors’ Disability Assessments [Podcast Episode]

It was revealed on December 28th through interviews with stakeholders that the Japan Pension Service, which handles the administration of national disability pensions, has been secretly discarding evaluation records and requesting new rulings from different doctors whenever staff members deemed the original doctor’s decision on benefit eligibility to be “problematic.” The Pension Service admitted to this practice during interviews, stating they are “currently investigating the facts, including the number of cases involved.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 29, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Japan Podcast

Disability Abuse Cases Hit Record High in Japan in Fiscal Year 2024 [Podcast Episode]

Cases of abuse against people with disabilities in Japan reached a record high of 3,770 in fiscal 2024, the welfare ministry said Tuesday 23rd December, citing an increase in consultations and reports to local governments. The total, confirmed by prefectural and municipal authorities, rose by 293 from the previous year, the ministry said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Immigration Japan Podcast

‘Unboxing’ Proposed New Japanese Visa Requirements on Boxing Day [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering adding Japanese language proficiency as a requirement for permanent residency for foreigners, sources familiar with the matter said Friday. To obtain the status, foreigners will also be mandated to take a program aimed at helping them smoothly integrate into local communities, the sources said. The envisaged new requirements will be included in a draft package of proposals on policy for foreign nationals, to be compiled next month for submission to the government.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 24, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Two Years After Japan’s Anti-Disability Discrimination Law Revision, Mixed Progress Perceived on ‘Reasonable Accommodation’ [Podcast Episode]

Nearly two years after Japan’s revised Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities made the provision of “reasonable accommodation” mandatory for private businesses, progress remains uneven. While some companies in Okayama Prefecture have introduced measures such as sign-language captions, communication apps, Braille menus, and barrier-free design, people with disabilities say daily experiences have changed little.