Clinical Trial to Utilize Expired Blood to Start in Japan
Nara Medical University will begin a clinical trial in spring 2025 of artificial red blood cells made from donated blood past its shelf life that is usually discarded.
Latest Posts
After Fatal Accidents, Japan Consumer Agency Calls for Caution at Saunas
Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency is alerting sauna lovers to take precautions against accidents such as burns, stressing that some of them are fatal. Specifically, an older woman died from full-body burns she got in a home sauna and a man in his 70s died of acute circulatory failure in a sauna at a recreation facility. Another man also in his 70s fainted in a sauna at a public bath, resulting in amputation of five burned toes.
Organ Transplant Stories From Japan [Podcast Episode]
Currently, over 14,000 people in Japan are waiting for a kidney transplant — by far the largest group when classified according to organ — with an average waiting period of 14 years and nine months. That compares with an average wait time of three to five years among 90,000 patients in need of kidney transplants in the United States.
Osaka Group Home for Disabled Manager Admits to Sexually Abusing, Photographing Two Intellectually Disabled Women
A man who ran a group home for people with disabilities admitted to habitually sexually abusing two women who stayed there, also filming obscene scenes with a smartphone. In court, he repeatedly stated that “it was his own weakness that led him to commit the crime.” The prosecution denounced the crime as “treating the victims as an outlet for sexual desire and severely violating their personalities,” and sought a 10-year prison sentence.
Patients Needing Transplants in Japan Face A Long Wait
Currently, over 14,000 people in Japan are waiting for a kidney transplant — by far the largest group when classified according to organ — with an average waiting period of 14 years and nine months. That compares with an average wait time of three to five years among 90,000 patients in need of kidney transplants in the United States.
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.
Continence Care Market on Rise in Aging Japan
Sales of continence care products in the country grew from 78.3 billion yen in 2019 to 98 billion yen in 2023 and are on track to top 100 billion yen this year, according to research company Intage Inc.
‘Unprecedented’ 5,000 People with Disabilities Quit or Fired from Workplaces in Japan, 329 Workplaces Closed Due to Cuts in Compensation Payments
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.
Kobayashi Pharma Fails to Report 11 More Suspected Deaths
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. said Tuesday it has newly found 11 more fatalities that should have been reported to Japan’s health ministry over possible links to supplement products containing its “beni koji” red fermented rice.
Suitcases and Wheelchairs in Japan: Together in Electric Dreams?
In March 2024, a Chinese student in Fukushima Ward in Osaka City was stopped by the police for using an ‘electric suitcase’ on the sidewalk. Since the woman’s suitcase could reach a maximum speed of 13 kph, the police classified the luggage as a motorized bicycle after noting that it has all the traits of a vehicle, therefore using such an ‘electric suitcase’ would be a potential violation of the Road Traffic Law and the Prefectural police referred the woman to prosecutors on suspicion of violating that law. This is the first time such a case has been sent to the prosecutors. However, if ‘electric suitcases’ “do not meet public safety standards” perhaps electric wheelchairs do not either, and denying electric wheelchairs on the sidewalk would deny many elderly and people with disabilities access to the world outside their home.
Barrier Free Japan 