Latest Posts

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 10, 2024 1
Care Disability Japan

Client at Osaka facility for people with disabilities suffers serious burns after staff fail to check the temperature of the bath

A male client suffered severe burns while taking a bath at a facility for the disabled in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture. The staff neglected to check the temperature of the hot water.

Ibaraki City announced on February 5th that a male user in his 30s suffered severe burns to approximately 85% of his body after taking a bath at Tomoshibien, a municipal living support center for people with disabilities.

The man is being treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 9, 2024 Number of comments0
Anime Disability Japan Mental Health

Mentally ill and disabled workers thrive in Kyoto anime studio

A business in the city’s Nakagyo Ward has created a supportive environment for people with disabilities, mental illnesses and adjustment disorders to work in the animation industry.
Although these conditions can make it difficult to succeed in traditional work environments, the Shake Hands Sanjo-Karasuma animation studio is a “type-B” workplace–designed to offer continuous employment support for people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 8, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Education Japan

Aichi Elementary School Apologies for Publishing Information about ‘Special Needs’ Students

It announced on February 7th that an elementary school in Toyota city had listed the disabilities of the children in special needs classes along with their names on their websites Although the city had obtained the approval of the parents for the information to be posted, the city’s School Education Division stated, “This was inappropriate handling of personal information and a lack of consideration. The city’s School Education Division deleted the information and apologized to the parents, saying, “It was inappropriate for the handling of personal information, and we were not considerate enough.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 7, 2024 1
Disability Forced Sterilization Gender Japan

Japanese court approves nonsterilized trans man’s gender change

A Japanese court on Wednesday recognized a transgender man’s petition to legally change his gender without having first undergone sterilization, after the country’s top court ruled the requirement unconstitutional in October.

The plaintiff, 50-year-old Tacaquito Usui, welcomed the ruling from the Okayama Family Court’s Tsuyama Branch as “profoundly moving.” It is likely to be followed by more from other family courts deliberating over similar circumstances.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 6, 2024 Number of comments0
Abuse Care Japan Megumi Corporation Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Aichi Governor Condemns Care Provider ‘Megumi’ over “economic abuse” of People with Disabilities

According to a prefectural audit, the GH “Fuwafuwa Koda” in Koda Town has over-collected about 12 million yen in food costs from 25 users since its opening in July 2020. Although they collected 28,000 yen per person per month, it was revealed that only about 7,500 yen per month was actually spent on meals.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 5, 2024 1
Abuse Care Disability Japan Megumi Corporation

Three municipalities in Aichi accuse ‘Megumi’ Corporation of “economic abuse” of people with disabilities over excessive collection of food costs

Three cities and towns in Aichi Prefecture, including Koda Town, Aichi Prefecture, have accused Megumi (Headquarters, Tokyo) of a major management company of group homes (GHs) for people with disabilities of overcharging food costs. This is the first time that financial abuse has been found in a series of issues, Governor Hideaki Omura stated in an announcement at a press conference on February 5th. According to Governor Omura, by the end of last year, there were reports that two other cities in the prefecture had recognized economic abuse. Details were not disclosed.

It has been confirmed that 26 Megumi-affiliated GH offices in the prefecture have been over-collecting by a total of approximately 218 million yen.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 4, 2024 Number of comments0
Blind Japan Para Sports Sports

Only A Few Months After Fall, Natsumi Inouchi Wins Beppu Oita Marathon Visually Impaired Category

Para-athlete Natsumi Inouchi has won the Beppu Oita Marathon, winning the women’s visually impaired category, finishing at 3 hours, 14 minutes and 24 seconds.

Inouchi fell from a station platform in November last year, colliding with a train. She was unable to train for a month due to a right leg injury, and finished the Hofu Yomiuri Marathon in December in 3 hours and 25 minutes.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 3, 2024 Number of comments0
Cancer Care Dementia Disability Hospitals Japan

Survey Finds Hospitals in Japan Have Difficulties Dealing with Cancer Patients with Dementia

Many hospitals in Japan have experienced difficulties dealing with cancer patients with dementia, a survey by the Japan Cancer Society showed Saturday.

The survey was carried out in April-June 2023 for 451 hospitals designated by the health minister to provide high-quality treatment to cancer patients, with 256 of them, or 57 pct, giving responses.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 2, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan

Japan Govt to Increase Financial Aid to Noto Earthquake Victims; Help Aimed at Households with Elderly or Disabled Members

The Japanese government will create a new program in which financial assistance of up to ¥3 million will be provided to households with elderly or disabled members in six municipalities in the northern Noto Peninsula, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday.

The program is aimed to help residents of the disaster-hit area, which has a large elderly population, rebuild their lives.