Latest Posts

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 6, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Writing

Ichikawa’s novel spotlights dearth of ebooks for disabled people [Asahi Shimbun Editorial]

“I hated paper books. I hated the machismo of the traditional reading culture, which requires five physical abilities–the ability to see, the ability to hold a book, the ability to turn pages, the ability to maintain a reading posture and the ability to freely go to bookstores to buy books. I hated the ignorant arrogance of book lovers who are not aware of their privilege of being able to read paper books.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 2, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Shinya Tateiwa, Japanese Disability Studies Scholar Dies Aged 62

Shinya Tateiwa, a sociologist and professor at Ritsumeikan University, who was known for his essays on the disabled and euthanasia, including a critique of the murder case at a facility for people with disabilities in Sagamihara, passed away at 1:33 p.m. on July 31 at a hospital in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City due to a malignant lymphoma. He was 62 years old.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 1, 2023 1
Disability Japan Sagamihara

Shinya Tateiwa, Sociologist who Researched People with Disabilities Dies, Aged 62

Shinya Tateiwa, a sociologist and professor at Ritsumeikan University, who was known for his essays on the disabled and euthanasia, including a critique of the murder case at a facility for people with disabilities in Sagamihara, passed away at 1:33 p.m. on July 31 at a hospital in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City due to a malignant lymphoma. He was 62 years old.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 30, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: “The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Disabilities”: Book Explaining Legal Terms and Issues Published in Japan

In an effort to make people with disabilities aware of the reality of their situation, the Japan Council on Disability (Tokyo) has published an encyclopedia that explains issues such as “support for children with disabilities” and “disasters and people with disabilities” in addition to laws and terminology. The encyclopedia was written not only by academics, but also by people with disabilities and their supporters to reflect their perspectives on the frontlines.


by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 30, 2023 1
Disability Japan

“The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Disabilities” Explaining Legal Terms and Issues Published in Japan

In an effort to make people with disabilities aware of the reality of their situation, the Japan Council on Disability (Tokyo) has published an encyclopedia that explains issues such as “support for children with disabilities” and “disasters and people with disabilities” in addition to laws and terminology. The encyclopedia was written not only by academics, but also by people with disabilities and their supporters to reflect their perspectives on the frontlines.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 28, 2023 Number of comments0
Health Japan

Japan’s Average Life Expectancy Continued to Fall in 2022

In 2022, men’s average life expectancy in Japan fell 0.42 year from 2021 to 81.05 years, and that of women dropped 0.49 year to 87.09
years. The drops were “largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic,”
a ministry official said.

The COVID-19 pandemic is seen to have shortened the average life expectancy in 2022 by 0.12 year for men and 0.13 year for women, larger than 0.10 year and 0.07 year, respectively, in 2021.