McDonald’s Japan to stop using paper straws [Podcast Episode]
The fast-food chain said it will begin introducing a new lid design that eliminates the need for straws, starting Nov. 19, replacing the paper straws introduced in 2022.
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Japan Confirms 3rd Bird Flu Case of Season
The prefectural government of Niigata, central Japan, said Tuesday that it has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a poultry farm in the city of Tainai.It marks the third bird flu outbreak confirmed at a poultry farm in Japan this season. A total of 630,000 egg-laying chickens at the Niigata farm will be culled. According to the prefectural government, the farm reported abnormalities, including an increase in the number of chicken deaths, on Monday morning.
Flu Season Starts Earlier Than Usual in Japan
Influenza outbreaks have started in Japan in late September, earlier than usual, partly because of increases in cross-border travel. According to the health ministry, the number of flu patients reported by regularly monitored medical institutions across the country in the week to Oct. 26 stood at 6.29 per facility. By prefecture, Okinawa, southernmost Japan, topped the list, with 19.40, followed by three neighboring Tokyo–Kanagawa, with 11.88, Chiba, with 11.82, and Saitama, with 11.73.
“Stop pretending to be disabled”; Hirotada Ototake gives a “bold reply” to a malicious comment on X
Japanese author and sports writer Hirotada Ototake went viral after responding with sharp humor to a malicious comment on X (formerly Twitter) telling him to “stop pretending to be disabled.” Ototake, who was born without arms or legs, quoted the post and replied, “I’m terribly sorry for pretending to be disabled when all I’m missing are both my arms and legs.” The self-deprecating response earned over 23,000 likes and more than 2.5 million views, with many praising his wit and resilience. While most users lauded his ability to turn hostility into humor, others reflected on the deeper need for empathy, noting that laughter doesn’t erase the hurt behind prejudice.
Shiga Care Facility Worker Suspected of Abusing Disabled Residents, 15 Possible Victims, Says He “Couldn’t Control His Frustration” [Podcast Episode]
A 43-year-old care worker at a facility for people with disabilities in Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture, has been arrested for indecent assault and is suspected of abusing 15 residents in total, the facility’s operator said Thursday. According to the social welfare corporation Gamounokai, which runs the Akane support facility, the worker admitted to acts including pinching, headbutting, and hiding stuffed toys from residents between April last year and August this year, saying he “couldn’t control [his] irritation.” All additional victims were men with disabilities, though no injuries were reported. The corporation has apologized to residents and families, and pledged measures such as stricter staff supervision and the installation of monitoring cameras to prevent further abuse.
Japan to Counter Foreigners Refusing to Pay Health Insurance Premiums
Japan’s health ministry is planning to deny in principle the renewal or change of residential status for foreign citizens who refuse to pay national health insurance premiums, it was learned Tuesday. “We’re preparing to start it in June 2027,” health minister Kenichiro Ueno told a press conference. Ueno also said that his ministry will strengthen measures against foreign residents who do not pay medical expenses. The ministry will collect nonpayment information from medical institutions and share it with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Fukuoka Court Hands Suspended Sentence to 60-Year-Old Care Worker For Indecent Acts Against Intellectually Disabled Resident
A Fukuoka court has sentenced a 60-year-old former group home worker to two years in prison, suspended for four years, for committing an indecent act against a 38-year-old woman with a severe intellectual disability. According to the ruling, Kenji Takada kissed the woman on the lips three times at the facility’s office in April, taking advantage of her inability to form an intention not to consent. In delivering the verdict on October 27, Judge Yasuhiro Okamoto of the Fukuoka District Court said the defendant had abused his position in a “malicious” crime and that his criminal responsibility was “not light.”
McDonald’s Japan to stop using paper straws from November 19th 2025
The fast-food chain said it will begin introducing a new lid design that eliminates the need for straws, starting Nov. 19, replacing the paper straws introduced in 2022.
Hardship Continues for Ishikawa’s Workers with Disabilities as Earthquake Damage to Companies Hits Facilities
Since the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, work opportunities for people with disabilities in Ishikawa Prefecture’s Noto region have sharply declined as local companies that once purchased goods or outsourced simple tasks to employment support facilities were damaged by the disaster. Facilities such as Minorien in Nanao, known for its handmade additive-free natto, have been struggling to sustain operations but are now seeking new forms of work, including grass-cutting and leaflet delivery, to help disabled workers stay engaged, regain income, and maintain their connection to the community.
Tokyo couple denied housing after disabilities revealed [Podcast Episode]
A couple in Tokyo were all set to move into a new home when a real estate agent abruptly relayed a message from the apartment management company. “We regret to inform you that we cannot proceed with the contract.”They repeatedly tried to get an explanation from the company but could not gain access. The couple then realized the company’s decision to reject their application came soon after the property owner learned about their mental disabilities.
Barrier Free Japan 