A group home in Hokkaido, northern Japan, has required residents with intellectual disabilities to undergo sterilization treatment if they want to get married or live together with a partner at the facility, its operator admitted.
Mark Bookman PhD, was a historian, whose specialism was disability policy and related social movements in Japanese and global contexts. He studied Japanese Studies at University of Pennsylvania, and at the time of his death on December 16th 2022 he was Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Tokyo.
A 29-year-old man, a former employee of a workshop for the disabled, was accused of quasi-forced sexual intercourse and quasi-forced indecency for sexually assaulting two women with severe intellectual disabilities. It was held at the Otsu District Court on the 15th. Presiding Judge Yasushi Hatayama handed down a sentence of 5 years imprisonment for “an extremely despicable and vicious crime”.
More students than a decade ago are being identified by their teachers as likely having a developmental disability, meaning they require extra classroom support, according to data released by the education ministry.
Daisuke Tenbata, who has been a member of the House of Councillors and a member of the Reiwa Shinsengumi party since being elected in July 2022, tested positive for COVID-19 on December 10th.
Daisuke Tenbata, who has been a member of the House of Councillors and a member of the Reiwa Shinsengumi party since being elected in July 2022, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The law changes the consent system for “medical protection hospitalization”, a form of forced hospitalization, for persons with mental disabilities. It has been criticized as increasing unnecessary hospitalizations. The majority of what the law stipulates will come into effect in April 2024.
On the 4th of December, the Hokkaido facility held an information session for the residents’ families, reported the abuse, and apologized. In the future, it is said that an “abuse verification committee” will be set up to consider measures to prevent recurrence.
The officials have confirmed that six male workers were involved in 38 cases of physical and mental abuse on 13 male residents.
The abusive acts included leaving naked residents unattended for long periods, forcing the residents to eat food that had been spilt, and forcibly moving wheelchair users’ body parts that had stiffened.
The Emperor of Japan said:
“I would like to make this address in the hope that, through Disability Week, people’s understanding of and interest in disability and people with disabilities will further expand and that a truly ‘symbiotic society’ will be realised.”
Barrier Free Japan