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by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 20, 2024 1
Assassination of Shinzo Abe Crime Japan Mental Health

Psychiatric exam finds ex-Japan PM Abe shooter mentally fit

A psychiatric evaluation of the man accused of fatally shooting former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has determined him mentally fit to be held criminally responsible for his actions, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.

The defense for Tetsuya Yamagami did not contest the results of the evaluation, which had been conducted at the request of prosecutors, and effectively deferred a request for another evaluation, the sources said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 18, 2024 Number of comments0
Children COVID-19 Disability Eating Disorders Japan

Study Indicates Obesity Increased among Japan Children during Pandemic

Obesity increased among junior high school students in Japan in fiscal 2020 to 2022, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by the National Center for Child Health and Development has shown.
The study analyzed the health checkup data of about 186,000 people who graduated from junior high school between fiscal 2020 and 2022 and compared the results with predicated figures based on such data of about 210,000 people who graduated in fiscal 2019 or earlier, before the pandemic.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 17, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #34: Escalator Death and Injury Incident Statistics in Japan

“[A]ccording to a survey conducted by the Consumer Affairs Agency and others, fatal accidents involving escalators were recorded at least seven times from June 2004 through March 2024.The Japan Elevator Association reported the number of accidents involving escalators was 1,550 during the two years from 2018 to 2019, which is two times higher than the number 15 years ago.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 17, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Imperial Family Japan

Japan’s Princess Kako Attends Dance Event for People with Disabilities

Japanese Princess Kako watched a dance event for people with disabilities held at Tokyo Gymnasium on Sunday. At the beginning of the event, the princess, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, waved to performers with a smile, with pompoms in her hands, to the music of “Matsuken Samba II,” and applauded after the song ended.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 15, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Elderly Japan

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency Reported Seven Fatal Accidents Involving Escalators Over Last 20 Years and 1,550 Accidents Between 2018 to 2019

“According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Affairs Agency and others, fatal accidents involving escalators were recorded at least seven times from June 2004 through March 2024.The Japan Elevator Association reported the number of accidents involving escalators was 1,550 during the two years from 2018 to 2019, which is two times higher than the number 15 years ago.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 12, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Deaf Disability Japan

Deaf Japanese lawyer elected to U.N. panel on rights of people with disabilities

Hiroshi Tamon, a deaf Japanese civil rights lawyer, was elected Tuesday to serve as an independent expert on the U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“I’m feeling very happy that I won, however burdened with this very large undertaking,” Tamon, 57, told Kyodo News after the vote through a sign language interpreter.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 11, 2024 Number of comments0
Care Children Disability Forced Sterilization Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #32: Japan Government to “allow” Disabled Parents to Live with Their Children

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has announced that it will allow disabled people to live with their children until they find a new home, in addition to its previous policy of “not expecting” disabled people to raise their children in group homes (GHs). The ministry has notified local governments nationwide in relation to the issue of disabled people undergoing sterilization procedures at GHs in Hokkaido.