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by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics Podcast Sports

Japan names 5-time Paralympic gold medalist Junichi Kawai to head sports agency [Podcast Episode]

Retired visually impaired swimmer Junichi Kawai was named the next commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency on Friday and will become the first Paralympian to assume the post when his appointment takes effect Oct. 1. Kawai expressed his determination to fulfill his role, saying at a press conference in Tokyo, “My goal is to build a society where citizens recognize the value and appeal of sports.” As it is rare for a government body to be led by someone who is totally visually impaired, he added, “The fact that someone like me has been appointed to this position shows that times have changed, and I hope this means a lot to many people.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 20, 2025 1
Disability Japan Welfare

124 Previously Denied Disability Pension Claims Approved, Japan’s Health Ministry to Continue Review and Publish Monthly Updates

In response to the higher rate of disability pension denials last fiscal year compared to the year before, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare conducted a detailed review of over 2,800 claims that had been denied between April and July last year. As a result, 124 of these cases were re-evaluated and will now be approved for payment. The ministry has announced it will continue to investigate recognition decisions and publish monthly updates on the progress.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 20, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Podcast Sex

Japan Panel OKs 1st OTC Sales of Erectile Dysfunction Drug [Podcast Episode]

An expert panel of Japan’s health ministry on Thursday approved over-the-counter sales of a drug to treat erectile dysfunction. It is expected that OTC sales of the drug will help spread opportunities for erectile dysfunction treatment as the male sexual dysfunction has major impacts on society, such as being a factor for declining birthrates.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 19, 2025 Number of comments0
Japan Para Sports Paralympics Sports

Japan names 5-time Paralympic gold medalist Kawai to head sports agency

Retired visually impaired swimmer Junichi Kawai was named the next commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency on Friday and will become the first Paralympian to assume the post when his appointment takes effect Oct. 1. Kawai expressed his determination to fulfill his role, saying at a press conference in Tokyo, “My goal is to build a society where citizens recognize the value and appeal of sports.” As it is rare for a government body to be led by someone who is totally visually impaired, he added, “The fact that someone like me has been appointed to this position shows that times have changed, and I hope this means a lot to many people.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Hospitals Japan

Hyōgo man dies after collapse; emergency call delay linked to NTT outage

On the afternoon of the 16th, a man in his 50s was found collapsed in Itami City, Hyōgo Prefecture, and was transported to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. According to police, at the time there was a communication outage affecting NTT West, and it is believed that the emergency call was delayed. However, it is not known whether this was directly related to the man’s death.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 17, 2025 Number of comments0
ALS Disability Japan Podcast Politics Reiwa Shinsengumi

Ex-lawmaker in Japan with ALS calls on politicians to ensure right to live [Podcast Episode]

Yasuhiko Funago, a former House of Councilors lawmaker with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, called on politicians to guarantee the right to “live until the end,” in a recent written interview. The retired lawmaker of Reiwa Shinsengumi, an opposition party, served one six-year term in the Upper House before deciding not to seek re-election in this July’s election.