Category: Podcast

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 26, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Children Disability Japan Podcast

Tottori Accepts Liability in Death of Disabled Teen at Care Facility [Podcast Episode]

In an accident in March 2025 at the “Prefectural Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center,” a residential facility for children with disabilities in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, a resident (then 14) fell from a stretcher, suffered fractures, and later died. On the 23rd, the prefectural government released the results of its investigation. As to causes, it pointed to failures to thoroughly ensure safety, including in the operation of equipment, as well as a lack of shared caregiving methods tailored to each resident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 25, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Invisible Disabilities Japan Podcast

227,000 people in Japan have “Higher Brain Dysfunction” [Podcast Episode]

An estimated 227,000 people in Japan are living with higher brain dysfunction, an “invisible disability” caused by brain damage from strokes or accidents, yet the condition remains poorly understood because its symptoms are not outwardly apparent. As a result, families of those affected often face profound and isolating challenges, including sudden personality changes, emotional instability, and cognitive impairments that others may misinterpret as normal behavior. This lack of visible signs can lead to misunderstanding and insufficient support, leaving caregivers to cope with stress, confusion, and loneliness while navigating daily life alongside their loved ones.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 24, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Housing Japan Podcast

People with disabilities in Japan face persistent barriers to housing, accommodation [Podcast Episode]

People with disabilities in Japan continue to face significant barriers in securing housing and accommodation, with multiple recent cases highlighting concerns over discrimination, limited legal enforcement, and a lack of understanding among property owners and service providers.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 23, 2026 Number of comments0
Gender Health Japan Podcast

Japan’s new guidelines aim to reduce long lines of women at public toilets [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s transport ministry has come up with draft guidelines aimed at reducing long waiting lines at women’s toilets at stations and commercial facilities. At a meeting of experts and businesspeople on Friday 13th March, the ministry presented its first draft guidelines for public restrooms in such places. The guidelines say it is important for both men and women to be able to use restrooms comfortably, and that the waiting times for each must be equal. They also say that the number of toilets for women needs to be higher than those for men at facilities where the number of male and female toilet users are almost the same.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 20, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Travel Blind Barrier Free Podcast

Shikoku Island Town Trials New Pedestrian Crossing for Visually Impaired [Podcast Episode]

A pedestrian crossing built to a new standard with wider spacing between white lines than before was introduced this month at an intersection near JR Takase Station in Takase Town, Mitoyo City, the first such installation in Shikoku. On the 18th, the prefectural police invited visually impaired people and others to walk across it and share their feedback. In July 2024, related laws on road markings were partially revised, making it possible to widen the spacing between white lines from the previous 45–50 centimetres to as much as 90 centimetres. This is expected to reduce maintenance costs, as it can lessen deterioration caused by vehicle traffic.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 19, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Japan KyoAni Mental Health Podcast

Withdrawal of Appeal against Death Sentence Found Valid in KyoAni Arson Case [Podcast Episode]

In the ruling on Tuesday 17th March, Presiding Judge Hisashi Ito said that Aoba clearly understood the meaning of his decision, and that the impact of his delusional disorder on the decision was hardly seen. The judge added that it is “not unreasonable” for Aoba to believe that withdrawing the appeal was better than being deemed delusional by a higher court and being executed.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 17, 2026 Number of comments0
Hospitals Japan Medical Podcast

Patient Dies, Two Critical after Injections at Hospital near Tokyo [Podcast Episode]

A male leukemia patient between 10 and 19 died and two other young male patients are unconscious after spinal injections of anticancer drugs at a hospital in the city of Saitama, near Tokyo, hospital officials have said. The Saitama Prefectural Children’s Medical Center is consulting police in view of the possibility that the incident resulted from a criminal or accidental cause, the officials said Wednesday. Of the three patients, one died in February, while a boy under 10 and the other patient, who is between 10 and 19, are in critical condition.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 16, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Japan Ends Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games with 100th Medal & Muraoka Japan’s Most Decorated Winter Paralympian [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s Daichi Oguri won the silver medal in the men’s snowboard banked slalom SB-LL1 event at the Milano-Cortina Paralympics on Friday. This is Japan’s third medal in the ongoing Paralympics, and its 100th winter Paralympic medal overall. Alpine sit skier Momoka Muraoka’s 11th career Paralympic medal at this year’s Milano-Cortina games has made her Japan’s most decorated winter Paralympian, a new high in an already stellar career.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 14, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Crime Disability Japan Podcast

“Stop your damn crying”: Guilty Verdict for Staff Member in Abuse Case at Hyogo Facility for Disabled [Podcast Episode]

In September 2025, a 21-year-old man residing in a welfare facility for people with disabilities in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, was assaulted by a male staff member and lost sight in his left eye. On the 10th, the Kobe District Court sentenced the former staff member, Akira Kamitake (23), to three years in prison, suspended for five years (the prosecution had sought four years of imprisonment). Testimony from the trial and further reporting have shed light on the background of the incident.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 13, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Children Crime Disability Japan Podcast

Actor Noburo Takachi on Murder of Disabled Daughter in Chiba: “I Feel a Discrimination Between Lives” [Podcast Episode]

Referring to “the case in which a mother killed her daughter with a severe disability,” Noburo Takachi mentioned the incident that occurred in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture. He noted that many opinions online say “the mother cannot be blamed,” creating an atmosphere suggesting it was unavoidable, referring to comments circulating on social media about the suspect.