Category: Politics

Health Japan Nursing Care Politics

Japan, China Top Health Officials Agree to Promote Cooperation

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Keizo Takemi and Lei Haichao, head of China’s National Health Commission, met in Beijing on Friday and agreed to promote cooperation in the areas of medical and nursing care services. 

Takemi and Lei also discussed measures to deal with population aging, a common challenge facing their countries.

Japan Kumamoto Minamata Disease Politics

Environment Minister Meets Again with Minamata Disease Sufferers

Japanese Environment Minister Shintaro Ito on Monday met again with Minamata disease sufferers after the microphone was abruptly switched off at a previous meeting while such people were speaking. 
   “I apologize again. We will give assistance to the fullest extent possible,” Ito said at Monday’s meeting in Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, with six groups of sufferers of the neurological disorder caused by polluted industrial wastewater.

Disability Japan Kobe World Para Athletics Championships Para Sports Paralympics Politics

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #22: Kobe Gets ‘PARAgrressive’ about Sports, Disabled Writer Ototake ‘Certain’ to Lose By-Election

On April 27th Kobe City started to literally ‘fly the flag’ – put out flags in Kobe City – heralding the Kobe 2024 Para Athletics World Championships to be held from May 17th – May 25th.
An event titled ‘PARAgrressive Day’ was held in various locations in Kobe. Barrier Free Japan made some videos!
As of the evening of April 28th 2024, Hirotada Ototake is set to lose the by-election for a House of Representatives seat. On April 23rd it was reported that someone was arrested for attacking a staffer working for Ototake.

Disability Election Japan Politics

LDP Not to Endorse Disabled Author Ototake in Tokyo By-Election

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Friday that it will not give a recommendation on author Hirotada Ototake in the April 28 House of Representatives by-election in the Tokyo No. 15 constituency. The LDP, headed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, was considering whether to support Ototake as a recommended candidate after giving up fielding its own candidate for the constituency.

Disability Japan Politics

Disabled Japanese Author Hirotada Ototake to Run in Lower House By-Election

Author of ‘No One’s Perfect’, Hirotada Ototake said on Monday 8th that he will run as an independent in the April 28 House of Representatives by-election in the Tokyo No. 15 constituency with the backing of Tomin First no Kai or ‘Tokyoites First Party’, a political organization closely linked to Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike that he serves as deputy leader. Ototake said that as one who has congenital tetra-amelia syndrome, he wants to “help people in need through the power of politics.”

2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Earthquake Japan Podcast Politics

Disability News Japan Podcast: Japan’s Politicians with Disabilities Meet to Discuss Quake Response

A meeting of a national organization made up of local politicians with disabilities was held in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture on January 15th, and the plan was to provide extensive support to people with disabilities in anticipation of a prolonged evacuation period following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

Disability Discrimination Japan Podcast Politics

Disability News Japan Podcast: Nine of Hokkaido’s Town Councils Ban ‘mentally disabled’ from Attending Meetings

A survey by the Hokkaido prefectural government found that there are at least nine towns and villages in the prefecture that prohibit people with intellectual disabilities from sitting on the council through bylaws or regulations. The prefecture is calling for action, such as considering amendments to the ‘Act for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination’, on the grounds that this may be in violation of the Act.

Disability Discrimination Japan Politics

At least 9 towns and villages in Hokkaido ban people with mental and intellectual disabilities from attending council meetings

A survey by the Hokkaido prefectural government found that there are at least nine towns and villages in the prefecture that prohibit people with intellectual disabilities from sitting on the council through bylaws or regulations. The prefectural is calling for action, such as considering amendments to the ‘Act for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination’, on the grounds that this may be in violation of the Act.