Category: Shog.A.I. Shimbun

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 16, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun Welfare

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #52: ‘Unprecedented’ 5,000 People with Disabilities Quit or Fired from Workplaces in Japan

A nationwide survey of local governments by Kyodo News on the 13th revealed that 329 workplaces where disabled people could gain skills and knowledge while working were closed nationwide between March and July of this year, resulting in at least 5,000 disabled people who worked there being fired or quitting. The highest number of disabled people ever fired in a year was about 4,000. Although this includes retirees, this is an unprecedented number in just five months.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 10, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Sexual abuse Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #51: 60% of Teachers at Japan’s Schools for Intellectually Disabled Have Dealt with Issues Related to Sex On SNS

A survey conducted by Satoko Tsuda, associate professor at Chubu University, and her colleagues found that more than 60% of teachers in charge of student guidance at special-needs schools for children with intellectual disabilities have dealt with problems related to sex on social networking sites (SNS). Only about 30% of the respondents answered that they had provided literacy education on risks and other issues.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 5, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #50: 1st Plaintiff, Sumiko Nishi, Reaches Settlement in Forced Sterilization Lawsuits in Japan

The settlement in the suit filed by Sumiko Nishi, 77, of Hino, Tokyo, was finalized in Tokyo District Court. Nishi, who has cerebral palsy, was subjected to sterilization without consent at around 14 years old. Nishi’s legal team says the government agreed to pay more than 16 million yen, or about 106,000 dollars, for the compensation, legal fees and other costs. She filed a lawsuit against the government in September 2022 for damages of 30 million yen, citing severe mental anguish from the surgery.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 29, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast Sagamihara Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #48: Despite Sympathy for People with Disabilities ‘Post-Sagamihara’, Group Homes for Disabled Often Opposed

In response to the ‘Sagamihara Stabbings’, Kanagawa Prefecture has set a goal of “realizing a society where we can live together,” placing emphasis on a shift away from welfare policies that require people with disabilities to spend their entire lives in facilities, and promoting a shift to community living. However, in reality, there are many cases where attempts to open group homes (GHs) have been met with opposition from residents and forced to abandon plans.

“We won’t let them do it unless everyone agrees.” At an information session for a GH for people with disabilities scheduled to open in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, residents repeatedly voiced their opposition.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 25, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #46: Japan Government to Establish Cabinet Council to Eradicate Discrimination Against People with Disabilities

Following the Supreme Court ruling that the former Eugenic Protection Law, which forced sterilization on the grounds of disability, was unconstitutional, the government has decided to create a new council with all cabinet members as members to eradicate discrimination against people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 22, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #45: Forced Sterilization Plaintiff Kikuo Kojima Speaks About Being Told “it would be terrible if people like you had children”

Kikuo Kojima, 83, of Sapporo was put up for adoption soon after his birth. He contracted polio, leaving him with a disabled right leg for which he was bullied. At age 19, when he was leading a desolate life, he was forced to undergo sterilization.

Kojima was handcuffed by a police officer in front of his home and put into a psychiatric hospital in Sapporo. It was one-sidedly determined that he was mentally ill, and when he was sterilized, a nurse told him that this had to be done “since it would be terrible if people like you had children.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 19, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #44: Japan’s PM Kishida Apologizes Directly to Forced Sterilization Victims for “inexcusable violation of human rights”

In front of more than 130 plaintiffs, lawyers and supporters, Kishida said, “It is with deep regret that at least 25,000 people have suffered the grave harm of being sterilized,” under the eugenics law, which was in effect between 1948 and 1996.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 15, 2024 Number of comments0
Care Crime Disability Japan Mark Bookman Megumi Corporation Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #43: Megumi Prepares to Transfer Control of Business & Disability News Japan in The Mainichi!

Megumi, which operates a group home for people with disabilities, submitted its business policy to Aichi Prefecture on July 12th, indicating its intention to transfer the business within the year. There is a possibility that some facilities will no longer be able to operate.

Megumi aims to transfer the business to a separate corporation within the year. After being found to have inflated food costs and fraudulent compensation claims, Megumi was administratively punished by Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City, and will no longer be able to operate group homes nationwide.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 9, 2024 Number of comments0
Abuse Crime Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #41: Kyoto men accused of forcing disabled person into washing machine

Kyoto police arrested two men on Thursday for allegedly forcing a disabled coworker into an industrial washing machine and turning it on, injuring him. On March 26 at around 2:30 p.m, the two suspects reportedly told their coworker, a 50-year-old man with an intellectual disability, “You stink! Get in the washing machine.”
They allegedly proceeded to force him into the machine and turn it on, resulting in injuries that required two weeks to heal. The victim sought medical attention a few days after the incident. The doctor who treated him noticed bruises and other injuries all over his body and reported the case to the police.