Category: Podcast

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 13, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Podcast

38-Year-Old Woman Dies at Ishinomaki Disability Facility After Bath at 50°C Causes Burns in 2022, Police Investigate Possible Negligence in 2025 [Podcast Episode]

A 38-year-old woman with disabilities died after suffering severe burns while bathing at the Hitakami-en facility in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, police revealed. Kana Abe developed extensive skin damage following staff-assisted bathing in 2022, and later died in hospital from respiratory failure caused by burns covering 60 percent of her body. A facility report suggested the bathwater temperature was about 50 degrees Celsius. Police are investigating the incident on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death after Abe’s family sued the facility in February 2025 and the police are investigating two people who were in charge at the time, along with the person responsible for the site.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 10, 2025 Number of comments0
2ch Disability Japan Nursing Care Podcast Social Media

‘2channel’ founder opines on why salary of Japanese caregivers doesn’t exceed average annual income [Podcast Episode]

When asked, “I work in nursing care, why don’t wages go up?” Hiroyuki responded bluntly: “They don’t go up because it’s a job paid from taxes.” He added, “I understand that nursing care work is very tough. Let’s set that aside. The reality is that nursing care is work that even people without prior experience can do. Of course, there are skills involved, but fundamentally, it’s a job that can be done by people without experience.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 8, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Employment Japan Podcast

Abuse of Workers with Disabilities by Employers in Japan Fell by 1.5% in Fiscal Year 2024 [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry reported a slight decline in the number of disabled workers found to be abused by employers in fiscal 2024, even as reports of suspected cases increased. A total of 1,827 workers were the subject of abuse reports, down 1.5% from the previous year, while confirmed cases involved 652 people across 434 workplaces, a 14.3% drop. Most cases involved economic exploitation, such as unfair pay, with part-time and temporary workers most affected. Intellectual disabilities were the most common among victims. Labor bureaus responded mainly with guidance under labor laws, including the Minimum Wage Act.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 3, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Down Syndrome Japan Podcast

Mie University Researchers Develop CRISPR Technique to Remove Extra Chromosome in Down Syndrome Cells [Podcast Episode]

Led by Dr. Ryotaro Hashizume of the Graduate School of Medicine, Unit for Genomic Manipulation and Technology Development, the team had successfully developed a technique to eliminate the extra copy of chromosome 21 in cells derived from individuals with Down syndrome. The condition, caused by trisomy 21, affects roughly one in every 700 births and leads to intellectual disabilities and other health complications.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 1, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Elderly Hearing Impaired Japan Podcast

Japan Post Apologizes After Delivery Contractor Writes Discriminatory Note to Hearing Impaired Customer [Podcast Episode]

Japan Post announced that a contractor employee at the Nagasaki Central Post Office was dismissed after writing a discriminatory remark on a delivery notice left for an elderly customer with hearing difficulties. The incident occurred on July 29 and came to light two days later when the customer reported it. Japan Post staff visited the customer to apologize directly. The company stated there was no prior trouble between the two and pledged to strengthen human rights awareness to prevent a recurrence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 29, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Podcast Welfare

Only 10% of Municipalities Implement Caps on Disability Welfare Services, Japan’s Health Ministry Reports [Podcast Episode]

A Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry survey has found that only about 10% of local governments have implemented caps on disability welfare services to prevent oversupply, despite rising demand. Around 40% said they were considering adopting the measure, while 30% opposed it, citing the need to respond flexibly when demand exceeds projections. The cap currently applies to residential facilities, day activity services, and two types of employment support, but whether to add group homes, whose numbers have surged in recent years has become a key issue.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 27, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Japan Podcast

Former Director Accused of Abuse at Kochi Disability Employment Support Facility [Podcast Episode]

It has come to light through interviews with the organization operating a disability employment support facility in Aki City that the former executive director was certified by a regional union as having committed abuse, such as kicking a chair used by a facility user. The organization in question is Kochi Kizuna Farm, a general incorporated association that operates employment support facilities for people with disabilities in Aki City and Ino Town. According to the organization, the regional union conducted interviews with staff and others after receiving information that abuse was taking place at the facility in Aki City. The investigation confirmed that the former executive director, a man in his 50s, had kicked a user’s chair and that a life support worker at the facility had also kicked a user. In addition, the facility was recognized for its role in preventing recidivism by accepting individuals with criminal records and was awarded a commendation by the Prime Minister last year.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Animals Care Disability Elderly Japan Podcast

73-Year-Old Woman Dies Almost Three Weeks After Bear Attack Outside Akita Care Home for Disabled [Podcast Episode]

Hideko Miura, 73 was found bleeding and collapsed near the entrance to Tsutsuji, a group home for the intellectually disabled in Uesugi, Kitaakita City, around 11:00 PM on the 31st of July. Based on injuries to her head and face, it was suggested that she had been attacked by a bear. Miura was reportedly unconscious when transported to the hospital, but never regained consciousness and passed away on the morning of August 20th.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast

Games with people with disabilities in Japan; both technological and abusive [Podcast Episode]

There are two types of ‘game’ for people with disabilities in Japan being played here. On the one hand, digital technology is set to play an exciting role at the Tokyo Deaflympics in November, with organizers aiming to create an immersive experience that engages athletes and spectators with hearing impairments; and on the hand, an after-school day service facility for children with disabilities in Hiroshima City has been penalized after staff, including the operator’s representative, were found to routinely use wrestling moves, shouting, and hitting as a supposed form of “communication” with children, behaviour described by a former employee as a daily occurrence and treated as “part of a game.” Hiroshima City has suspended the operator Watanohana for three months.