Category: Podcast

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 18, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Sexual abuse

Driver arrested for sexually assaulting female user of support facility for people with disabilities on a Tokyo shuttle bus [Podcast Episode]

The suspect (71) arrested on suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse, is a driver for a disability support facility in Koganei City, Tokyo, who is suspected of sexually assaulting a female user in her 20s on the bus he was driving in July this year. The suspect denied the charges, saying, “I did nothing obscene.”  The woman claims to have been a victim of similar assaults multiple times, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is investigating her for other crimes as well.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 16, 2024 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Japan Podcast

Man arrested for allegedly assaulting visually impaired man in accessible toilet at Jimbocho Station, Tokyo [Podcast Episode]

A 34-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a visually impaired man by kicking him with his foot in the multipurpose restroom at Jimbocho Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line in Tokyo. The suspect Ikeda admitted to the investigation that he “felt rushed” and admitted to the charges.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 9, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast

Japan’s Diet Enacts Forced Sterilization Compensation Bill [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, unanimously passed a bill on Monday 7th October to compensate victims of forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenic protection law. The bill is expected to be enacted on Tuesday after approval by the House of Councillors, the upper chamber. It calls for compensation of 15 million yen each for victims and 5 million yen for their spouses, as well as a lump-sum payment of 2 million yen to those forced to have abortions. If victims and their spouses are already deceased, the bill allows their bereaved families to seek compensation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 27, 2024 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Japan Podcast

National Network for People with Developmental Disabilities to be Formed [Podcast Episode]

A forum was held in Tokyo on September 22nd to form a national network for people with developmental disabilities, Kyodo News reported. In order to reflect the voices of people with developmental disabilities in national and local government policies, local groups of people with developmental disabilities have decided to form a national network. Representatives of the initiators exchanged opinions on issues such as employment and welfare. A website will be launched within the year and participation will be encouraged.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 20, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Education Japan Podcast

“You won’t let him go to school”: Hyogo parents and child with disabilities file suit, claiming their “human rights were violated” [Podcast Episode]

On September 17th, two parents and their children in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, filed a human rights complaint with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, claiming that their opinions and those of their guardians were not respected and were harmed during school counselling sessions for their children with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 16, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast

‘All’ forced sterilization lawsuits settled; plaintiffs and Japanese government sign agreement [Podcast Episode]

On September 13th, the plaintiffs and the government signed a settlement agreement in a lawsuit over forced sterilization under the old Eugenic Protection Law. Final adjustments were being made on the government’s payment of 15 million yen in compensation to any individual who underwent the surgery. Lawsuits currently underway in various regions have been gradually entering settlement procedures, and the settlement will take place about six years and seven months after the first lawsuit was filed in 2018.

The agreement covers 19 plaintiffs of pending lawsuits across the country.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 13, 2024 Number of comments0
Japan Podcast Politics

LDP Candidate asked whether he seems too ‘intellectually low’ to be Leader [Podcast Episode]

The Tokyo Shimbun reported that although Shinjiro Koizumi is considered one of the “favorite” candidates due to his high name recognition and ability to communicate, there are strong concerns about his ability to answer questions as prime minister, as he has made some unique statements at international conferences, such as “I will tackle climate change in a sexy way.” At the press conference that day, Koizumi was asked, “Doesn’t your intellectual level seem low?”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 9, 2024 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Employment Japan Podcast Work

761 people with disabilities in Japan suffered abuse at work last year [Podcast Episode]

A survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare found that 761 people with disabilities suffered abuse at work, such as unpaid wages and verbal abuse, last year, an increase of 105 from the previous year. This is thought to be due to the recovery of economic activity from COVID-19, which has increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 4, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Paris Summer Paralympics Barrier Free Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games Podcast

“Broadcast the Paralympics!” [Podcast Episode]

Japan won its first Paralympic gold medal in wheelchair rugby Monday after seeing off the United States 48-41 in Paris, with the nation adding two badminton gold on the day to make it five total at the ongoing games.
The Chunichi Shimbun reported that on August 30th, businessman Hiroyuki Nishimura (47), known as “Hiroyuki”, updated his X (formerly Twitter), giving his personal opinion regarding Nippon Television’s “24-hour TV”, which began its broadcast on August 31st.

Posting about the Paralympics, “Hiroyuki” said:

“If they’re going to deal with people with disabilities on 24-hour TV, they should broadcast the Paralympics…”, referring to the Paris Paralympics that began on the 28th.