Category: Podcast

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 8, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Disability Hokkaido Japan Podcast

Hokkaido Disability Facility Operator Drafts Improvement Plan Following Assault of Resident [Podcast Episode]

Following an incident where two former male staff members were arrested on suspicion of assault for physically abusing a resident at the “Tsurugaoka Gakuen” disability support facility in Kushiro City, the operating social welfare corporation, “Kushiro Aiiku Kyokai,” has drafted an improvement plan and submitted it to the Hokkaido prefectural government. In addition to reviewing security camera footage daily, the organization will establish a system that makes it easier to report and seek counselling regarding abuse. 

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 6, 2026 1
Children Disability Education Japan Podcast

Boy, 10, dies after disappearing from Ishikawa special needs school [Podcast Episode]

A tragic accident has raised questions after a 10-year-old boy attending a special needs school in Komatsu City went missing during class and was later found dead in a nearby waterfall. According to the school, the boy had a relatively mild disability and had no difficulty communicating. However, three years ago he had left the school building through the main entrance on his own. Since then, the school said it had strengthened supervision of students and ensured that doors remained locked.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 3, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Podcast Welfare

Japan’s Health Ministry Produces Manual to Strengthen Guidance and Oversight of Disability Welfare Following Fraud Cases [Podcast Episode]

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has compiled manuals on group guidance, operational inspections, and audits conducted by prefectural governments and other authorities for disability welfare service providers, and distributed them to local governments on the 8th. Until now, the ministry had only outlined its approach through training sessions. The new manuals are intended to strengthen guidance and audits, primarily in response to a growing number of disciplinary cases involving fraudulent practices as the number of facilities operated by for-profit corporations continues to rise.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 1, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime developmental disabilities Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Woman arrested for 19 million Yen fraud targeting parent of child with suspected developmental disorder [Podcast Episode]

A 57-year-old company employee has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding the parents of a child suspected of having a developmental disorder out of approximately ¥19 million (about US$130,000) by recommending the child study abroad. Police believe the suspect may have used the same scheme to defraud multiple victims of more than ¥50 million in total and are continuing their investigation.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 26, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Hansen's disease Japan Podcast

Honour-Restoring Ceremony for Leprosy Patients Held in Tokyo [Podcast Episode]

A ceremony was held in Tokyo on Monday 22nd to restore the honor of leprosy patients in Japan, who had suffered severe discrimination based on the government’s past forced isolation policy.”We former patients and their families still live silently, hiding ourselves from prejudice and discrimination that are still swirling,” said Isao Tateyama, head of a group of plaintiffs in damages lawsuit against the government.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 24, 2026 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Election Japan Podcast Politics

Miyazaki Disabled Man Gave Up on Voting After Mother’s Help Deemed Interference by Polling Station Staff [Podcast Episode]

According to the city and other sources, the man requires assistance with walking and also has a visual impairment. He visited the polling station together with his mother. Because it took him some time to complete his ballot, his mother spoke to him while standing nearby. However, polling station staff judged her actions to constitute “voting interference,” which is prohibited under the Public Offices Election Act.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 22, 2026 Number of comments0
Children Disability Japan Podcast

Driver sentenced for killing pregnant woman leaving unborn child with disability [Podcast Episode]

After prosecutors indicted Chigono in June last year on charges of negligent driving resulting in death, Sayaka Togitani’s husband Yudai Togitani, 34, and her father Atsushi Mizukawa, 62, asked prosecutors in September to recognize Hinami as a victim and also charge the suspect with negligent driving resulting in injury of the daughter.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 19, 2026 Number of comments0
Children Crime Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Former Employee of Facility for Disabled Re-arrested for Fourth Time Over Sexual Assault of 9-Year-Old Girl [Podcast Episode]

Goto is suspected of sexually assaulting a girl who attended the facility (then aged 9) in February of the year before last at a restroom in a shopping mall in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, knowing that she was under the age of 13. He is also suspected of filming the assault. Goto had previously been arrested and indicted for allegedly committing indecent acts against a five-year-old girl who also attended the same disability support facility and filming those acts. This latest case marks his fourth arrest.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 17, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Yao City Hall Employee Stopped by Station Staff at Ticket Gate; Forged Disability Certificate Found in Bag [Podcast Episode]

On the 12th, the city of Yao, Osaka Prefecture, announced that it had imposed a six-month suspension as a disciplinary measure on a 60-year-old assistant section chief in the Environmental Department for attempting to ride the railway without paying the proper fare and for forging a physical disability certificate. The employee reportedly submitted his resignation on the same day, which was accepted.