Podcast – Page 19 – Barrier Free Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 11, 2025 0

Technology and Japan’s Problem with People with Dementia Disappearing [Podcast Episode]

In Japan, a growing number of people with dementia are going missing each year, with many tragically found dead close to where they disappeared—491 in 2024 alone. Efforts to prevent such outcomes include the promotion of GPS tracking devices and the introduction of an orange “dementia help mark,” designed to alert others that the wearer may need assistance. Despite these initiatives, individual cases like that of Yasuko Arakawa—a woman with rare semantic dementia who vanished in 2023 and remains missing—highlight the emotional toll on families and the urgent need for greater public awareness, early intervention, and nationwide support systems in a rapidly aging society.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 9, 2025 0

Hospitals Japan Medical Podcast

Japan to Deny Entry of Foreigners with Unpaid Medical Bills [Podcast Episode]

The Japanese government said Friday 6th June that it will deny entry of foreign tourists who have failed to pay medical expenses in the country in the past. The government also said that medium- and long-term foreign residents who have failed to pay national health insurance or pension premiums in Japan will not be allowed to renew their period of stay or change their status of residence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 6, 2025 0

Barrier Free Japan Podcast Politics

Japan’s PM Ishiba: “We must make it the norm to have spaces where people can interact with each other regardless of whether they have a disability” [Podcast Episode]

On May 30th, the Japanese government held the first event to deepen understanding of people with disabilities, “Tomotomo Festa 2025,” at the State Guest House in Motoakasaka, Tokyo. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, who attended the opening ceremony, said, “We must make it the norm to have spaces where people can interact with each other regardless of whether they have a disability or not.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 4, 2025 0

Hospitals Japan Podcast Politics

LDP, Komeito, Nippon Ishin Agree to Reduce Hospital Beds [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) agreed Thursday 29th May to remove up to 110,000 redundant hospital beds across the country, in an effort to reduce social security costs. The three parties will formalize the agreement soon, aiming to include the reduction in the government’s upcoming economic and fiscal policy guidelines, which will be adopted in June. Nippon Ishin estimates that reducing 110,000 hospital beds would save around 1 trillion yen in medical costs. “The three parties share the same recognition (about the effect of reducing hospital beds),” Ryohei Iwatani, secretary-general of the party, told reporters after meeting with officials from the LDP and Komeito earlier on the day.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 2, 2025 0

developmental disabilities Disability Japan Podcast Travel

Only 10% of Train Commuters with ‘Mental Disabilities’ in Japan Request ‘Reasonable Accommodation’ [Podcast Episode]

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 came into force in April 2024, requires private businesses, including trains, to provide reasonable accommodation, but the survey report pointed 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 30, 2025 0

Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Higashiosaka Disability Employment Support Providers Penalized for Fraudulent Claims; Providers Dispute Allegations [Podcast Episode]

NHK reported on May 28th 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 0

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 26, 2025 0

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 23, 2025 0

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 21, 2025 0

Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast

Japanese Rapper with Intellectual Disabilities ‘Sapporo Gag Man’ Talks About “the sadness of living as a disabled person” [Podcast Episode]

“Your intelligence stopped at the third grade of elementary school” — the rapper and comedian from ‘Sapporo’s Gag Man’ from Sapporo, (28), was told these shocking words by a teacher in the summer of his first year of junior high school. He was diagnosed with intellectual disability and panic disorder. How did his life change after his disability was discovered? Here is an excerpt from his new book, “Not Normal: Why I’m a Rapper, Even though My Intelligence Stopped in Third Grade.”