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by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 12, 2026 Number of comments0
Deaf Disability Japan Podcast Police Sign Language

A No News ‘Seijin no Hi’ [Podcast Episode]

No news on ‘Coming of Age Day!’ ‘Sign Language Link’ is provided by the Japan Foundation Telephone Relay Service, a general incorporated foundation based in Tokyo. When police officers leave a kōban or a residential police post, they put up a notice indicating their absence. By scanning the QR code on this notice with a smartphone or other device, users are connected to a video call, initiating a three-way conversation between the user, a sign language interpreter, and an officer at the police station.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 11, 2026 1
Barrier Free Crime Disability Japan Police

Gifu Prefectural Police Introduce ‘Sign Language Link’, Available Even if No Police Present

Sign Language Link is provided by the Japan Foundation Telephone Relay Service, a general incorporated foundation based in Tokyo. When police officers leave a kōban or a residential police post, they put up a notice indicating their absence. By scanning the QR code on this notice with a smartphone or other device, users are connected to a video call, initiating a three-way conversation between the user, a sign language interpreter, and an officer at the police station.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Disasters Japan

Blizzard warning for Sea of Japan (10/01/2026)

According to the JMA, a low pressure system with a front in the Sea of ​​Japan is rapidly developing, passing near Hokkaido and moving toward the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. The front will pass from western Japan to northern Japan. A strong winter pressure pattern with high pressure in the west and low pressure in the east is expected, bringing strong cold air masses into the upper atmosphere. Atmospheric conditions will become extremely unstable. Maximum wind speeds (maximum instantaneous wind speeds) expected on the 11th are 25 meters (35 meters) in Hokkaido and 20 meters (30 meters) in Tohoku.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 10, 2026 Number of comments0
Abuse Japan Mental Health Self Defense Forces

Japan Govt Ordered to Pay Damages over SDF Officer’s Suicide

A Japanese district court on Friday ordered the government to pay 1.1 million yen in damages to the mother of a Ground Self-Defense Force member who committed suicide in 2012. They claimed that Kawashima, who was stationed at the GSDF’s Camp Shiraoi in the Hokkaido town of Shiraoi, took his life as appropriate measures were not taken against bullying mainly by one older officer.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 9, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks [Podcast Episode]

It was learned on January 6th that the medical corporation foundation “Aoyama-kai” has decided to end two disability consultation support services under contract with the city at the end of March and has notified the city. The relationship of trust with the city was damaged by Mayor Kaichi Deguchi’s social media posts during last year’s mayoral election and the subsequent response, and the foundation has decided that continuing the services any longer is difficult.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 8, 2026 1
Care Disability Japan Medical Social Media Welfare

Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks

It was learned on the 6th that the medical corporation foundation “Aoyama-kai” has decided to end two disability consultation support services under contract with the city at the end of March and has notified the city. The relationship of trust with the city was damaged by Mayor Kaichi Deguchi’s social media posts during last year’s mayoral election and the subsequent response, and the foundation has decided that continuing the services any longer is difficult. The city is considering countermeasures for April and beyond to avoid impacting users.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 7, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Welfare

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare begins investigation after disability pension assessments discarded

In connection with the national disability pension system, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on the 6th that it has started a fact-finding investigation, including checking remaining records, following revelations that the Japan Pension Service had discarded some physicians’ assessment results used to determine eligibility for benefit payments.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 6, 2026 Number of comments0
Crime Japan

Misuse of Loss Prevention Tags for Stalking on Rise in Japan

The use of loss prevention tags by stalkers quickly spread in Japan last year, the National Police Agency has reported.  According to the NPA, police across the country gave advice to victims of stalking using those electronic tags in 592 cases between January and November 2025, up 1.6-fold from the whole of the previous year.    Their misuse for stalking increased from three cases in 2021 to 113 cases in 2022, 196 cases in 2023 and 370 cases in 2024, amid small, inexpensive products becoming widely available. Many victims have discovered the tags, which are supposed to be attached to wallets and keys by the owners, affixed to their cars without their knowledge or hidden in their belongings, the NPA said.