Category: Podcast

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 4, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Earthquake Japan Kumamoto Podcast

Update One Week After Kumamoto Earthquake [Podcast Episode]

As of Monday 3rd August, 38 people have died, 278 disability care homes were ‘affected’ and some ‘disaster-related deaths’ have sadly occurred. A total of 278 disability care facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture have been affected by the powerful earthquake that struck the region earlier this week, Kyodo reported on July 31, citing the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry. A woman in her 70s died while sleeping in a car, apparently from heatstroke. Her death was judged potentially to be disaster-related, with the physical and mental strain of life as an evacuee among the possible causes.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 3, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Nursing Care Podcast

Sakai District Court Rules Dismissal of Whistleblower Nurse at Disability Facility Invalid [Podcast Episode]

A nurse who worked at a disability support facility in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, filed a lawsuit claiming it was unlawful for the facility to dismiss them after they made a public-interest whistleblower report about problems at the facility. The Sakai branch of the Osaka District Court ruled that the dismissal was invalid, finding that it was intended to remove the nurse from the workplace, and ordered the facility to pay unpaid wages and damages. The court ordered the facility to pay the three plaintiffs a total of more than ¥20 million in unpaid wages, damages, and other compensation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 29, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Earthquake Japan Podcast Sagamihara

On Earthquakes and Sagamihara Survivor Kazuya Ono [Podcast Episode]

“Through these experiences and the many people he has met along the way, Kazuya seems to be steadily expanding his world and broadening his horizons,” said Yasuki Otsubo, Ono’s lead caregiver.  An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 jolted southwestern Japan on Tuesday, with many feared injured as authorities scrambled to assess the extent of the damage amid reports of collapsed buildings, fires, power outages and traffic disruptions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 27, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Japan Megumi Corporation Podcast

Okazaki City Sanctions Disability Facility Over Abuse; Facility Ran by Successor Company to “Megumi” [Podcast Episode]

The facility is operated by Innovel Healthcare (Midori Ward, Nagoya City), which took over the operations in March 2025 from “Megumi”, a major group home operator whose license was revoked in 2024 due to issues such as overcharging for food expenses. According to the city, staff members engaged in physical violence against residents, including kicking them, and made threatening statements such as “Do it properly.” The city determined these actions constituted physical and psychological abuse.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 26, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Sagamihara

Ten Year Anniversary of the Sagamihara Stabbings, Extract of an E-mail from the Primary Carer of Survivor, Kazuya Ono [Podcast Episode]

“My name is Yasuki Otsubo, and I am Kazuya Ono’s lead caregiver. Kazuya himself finds it difficult to write emails or communicate verbally, so I am writing on his behalf.
This year marks Kazuya’s sixth year living independently with the support of personal assistants after moving from an institution into a community apartment…”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 22, 2026 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Education Japan Podcast

As awareness increases, more than 800,000 students in Japan may have developmental disabilities [Podcast Episode]

More than 800,000 students attending public elementary and junior high schools across Japan are estimated to have developmental disabilities, according to a government survey, with experts saying the increase reflects improved recognition rather than a sudden rise in prevalence.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 20, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Japan Podcast

Yokohama Considers Administrative Sanctions After Alleged Improper Use of Restraints is Discovered at Disability Facility [Podcast Episode]

According to the city, when physical restraints are used, facilities are required to obtain the consent of the resident’s family and document the reasons for and methods of the restraint. The city suspects these procedures were not followed. Officials conducted an on-site inspection of the facility on July 15 and are now considering possible administrative sanctions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 17, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Japan Podcast

Suspected Abuse at Yokohama Disability Support Facility, Residents Called “Scum”, Locked in Rooms [Podcast Episode]

According to those familiar with the situation, in late June a staff member verbally abused a male resident who was using the toilet, shouting remarks such as, “Come on, get it out (the feces),” and “You piece of trash.” The toilet door was also left open, allowing other residents to see him while he was defecating.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 15, 2026 Number of comments0
Abilympics Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast

‘Abilympics’ Held in Fukuoka [Podcast Episode]

The Abilympics Fukuoka 2026, a competition in which people with disabilities demonstrate and compete in vocational skills they have developed through their work and daily employment, was held in Kasuga, Fukuoka Prefecture, on July 11. The Abilympics are organized to help working people with disabilities improve their skills while also promoting greater understanding of the employment of people with disabilities. Competitors who achieved outstanding results qualified to compete at the National Abilympics, which will be held in Aichi Prefecture this December.