Category: Podcast

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 14, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan’s ‘first visit date’ rule shows gaps in disability pension system [Podcast Episode]

A Tokyo man in his 50s who was forced to quit his IT job after developing Parkinson’s disease faced difficulties obtaining Japan’s disability pension due to the system’s requirement to prove the date of first medical consultation, highlighting structural hurdles for applicants. Kenichi Sato (pseudonym), 54, was told he needed to verify an initial clinic visit from about 20 years ago, but records had been discarded under the legal five-year retention rule for medical charts.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Aichi Prefecture’s Disability Certificate Issuance Woes [Podcast Episode]

While assigned to the center, a 27-year-old male employee from the Toyokawa Public Health Center issued certificates without obtaining the required approvals, recorded false review results in documents, and altered classifications to more severe levels. In interviews conducted by the prefecture, he explained to the effect that “administrative processing fell behind, and I altered the classifications to levels that applicants would accept.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 11, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Crime Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Podcast

Chiba disability group home resident dies; former representative arrested [Podcast Episode]

Police in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, plan to arrest a man in his 30s who formerly headed a disability group home on suspicion of assault resulting in death after a 19-year-old male resident with an intellectual disability died under suspicious circumstances in 2025. Investigators believe the former representative assaulted the resident, leading to his death, and are also examining possible liability among staff members who allegedly failed to report the abuse despite being aware of it. Police suspect the victim may have been subjected to routine violence and are continuing the investigation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Election Japan Podcast Politics Sanae Takaichi Sanseito

Japan Lower House Election 2026: Barrier Free Japan’s ‘Two Yen Worth’ Analysis [Podcast Episode]

As of the evening of February 9th, according to Jiji Press, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a historic landslide victory in Sunday’s House of Representatives election, winning 316 seats to occupy a standalone two-thirds majority of the 465 seats in the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 9, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Election Japan Podcast Politics

LDP Wins Two-Thirds Majority, Sanseito and Team Mirai Gain Seats [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday’s general election, delivering a strong mandate for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and enhancing her ability to advance key policies. Holding more than 310 seats in the 465-member chamber allows the party to pursue constitutional revision and pass legislation even if rejected by the House of Councillors, where the ruling bloc lacks a majority. Meanwhile, the minor populist party Sanseito expanded its lower house presence to 13 seats from two, though its leader voiced dissatisfaction with the outcome, while Team Mirai won its first seat in the Lower House, according to early returns.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 8, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Less than a month until the Paralympics, Japan finalizes Milan–Cortina preparations [Podcast Episode]

With less than a month to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games open on March 6, Japan is stepping up final preparations for a campaign that will feature broad representation across the six-sport program, including the return of its para ice hockey team.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 6, 2026 Number of comments0
Japan Podcast Politics Sanae Takaichi Unification Church

Tokyo Court to Rule on Unification Church Dissolution Order on March 4 [Podcast Episode]

The Tokyo High Court will decide on March 4 whether to back a lower court’s order for the Unification Church to disband itself, informed sources said Wednesday. If the high court upholds the dissolution order, it will take effect regardless of whether the religious group appeals to the Supreme Court, and liquidation procedures will begin. The group could continue its activities as a voluntary organization, but it would lose its status as a religious corporation and would no longer be eligible for tax benefits.