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by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Japan Medical Welfare

Japan’s Medical Expenses Hit Record 48 T. Yen in Fiscal Year 2023

Japan’s national medical expenses hit a record 48.09 trillion yen in fiscal 2023, rising 3.0 percent from the previous year, the health ministry said Friday. Per capita spending also reached an all-time high of 386,700 yen, driven by an increase in influenza cases, an aging population, and the growing use of advanced medical technologies. Elderly people aged 65 or older accounted for nearly 60 percent of total costs, with per capita expenses at 797,200 yen—more than three times that of those under 65. Funding came primarily from government sources, public insurance premiums, and out-of-pocket payments by patients.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 11, 2025 1
Dementia Disability Elderly Japan

75 Percent Unaware of Dementia Basic Law Enactment According to Japan Government Survey

A Japanese government survey showed Friday that 75.8 pct of the respondents are unaware of the enactment of the country’s basic law on dementia. The result of the public opinion survey by the Cabinet Office revealed that public awareness in Japan remains low even more than a year and a half after the law’s enforcement in January 2024. Of the respondents, 16.4 pct said they are aware of the law’s enactment but do not know its content, while 4.5 pct and 1.0 pct said they know its content “to some extent” and “in detail,” respectively.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan

Fureasu Tops 2025 Ranking for Disability Employment in Japan

The 2025 ranking of Japanese companies with the highest employment rates of people with disabilities shows home-visit massage firm Fureasu topping the list with a rate of 15.13 percent, Toyo Keizai magazine reported Thursday. The survey covered 1,137 companies employing at least three people with disabilities. The average rate among all 1,339 firms that disclosed data was 2.25 percent, up slightly from the previous year’s 2.2 percent. Japan raised its legally required employment rate for people with disabilities from 2.3 to 2.5 percent in April, with a further increase to 2.7 percent planned for fiscal 2026.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Disasters Japan Podcast Typhoon

Typhoon ‘Action’ and Mie Eyes Action Against Customer Abuse [Podcast Episode]

The Mie prefectural government plans to create what it says will be Japan’s first ordinance with a penalty aimed at deterring customers from behaving abusively to workers.The ordinance would define customer abuse as excessive nuisances that go beyond social norms and harm employees’ working environment. Vicious behavior, such as shouting to demand an apology, would be classified as designated customer abuse. When a business files a complaint of customer abuse, the prefectural government will ask a panel including lawyers to investigate and seek opinions. The perpetrator will be fined if the order is not observed. The fine is likely to be about 500,000 yen.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 9, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan Travel

Bus company introduces Japan’s 1st service with lie-flat seats

Kochi Ekimae Kanko, a bus operator in western Japan, has repeatedly received passenger feedback that overnight bus rides can be physically tiring and concluded there is enough demand for buses with lie-flat seats. The company trialed the seats, which can be converted into two tiers of beds, on its 13-hour service between Kochi Prefecture and Tokyo. During the trial in August, an upper bed seat cost 12,000 yen ($80) one way, while a lower bed seat was 10,000 yen. The fares for the regular service are yet to be announced.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 8, 2025 1
Abuse Japan Mental Health Work

Mie Eyes Japan’s 1st Rule with Penalty against Customer Abuse

The Mie prefectural government plans to create what it says will be Japan’s first ordinance with a penalty aimed at deterring customers from behaving abusively to workers.The ordinance would define customer abuse as excessive nuisances that go beyond social norms and harm employees’ working environment. Vicious behavior, such as shouting to demand an apology, would be classified as designated customer abuse. When a business files a complaint of customer abuse, the prefectural government will ask a panel including lawyers to investigate and seek opinions. The perpetrator will be fined if the order is not observed. The fine is likely to be about 500,000 yen.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 8, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Infectious Diseases Influenza Japan Podcast

Flu Season Starts in Japan, 2nd Earliest in 20 Years [Podcast Episode]

Japan has entered the influenza season nationwide, marking the second-earliest beginning in the past 20 years, the health ministry said Friday. The number of flu patients reported from some 3,000 regularly monitored medical institutions across the country stood at 1.04 per institution in the week through Sunday 5th October.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan

People with Disabilities and Local Residents Connect at “Fureai” Exchange Event in Nishinomiya, Hyogo for 20th Year

The Fureai Network Festival in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo, brought together people with disabilities and local residents for its 20th annual event on October 5. Organized by the nonprofit Nishinomiya Fureai Network, the festival featured 16 organizations running booths where participants sold handmade goods and hosted workshops, including leathercraft. The event provided an opportunity for people with disabilities working at local facilities to engage with the wider community, with organizers highlighting its importance in fostering social connection and inclusion.