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by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 29, 2021 Number of comments0
Disability Japan

“Living independently is not about doing everything yourself,” said late Japanese wheelchair user, Norifumi Gogo, fatally hit by van

Norifumi Gogo, a man with paralysis in all four limbs, who promoted the independence of people with disabilities and held lectures at companies and schools to boost understanding of such individuals; was fatally hit by a car in the southwest Japan city of Kitakyushu in February. Gogo, aged 46 at the time, was hit by a van at an intersection on National Route No. 3 in Kitakyushu’s Kokurakita Ward at around 10:35 a.m. on Feb. 26.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 28, 2021 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Japan

Japan’s Diet passes revisions to disability anti-discrimination law, private businesses now required to consider the needs of disabled people

The revisions to Law for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities were unanimously passed and enacted at the plenary session of the House of Councillors on May 28, requiring private businesses such as companies and stores to provide “reasonable accommodation” to support the mobility and communication of persons with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 27, 2021 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Elderly Japan

Fukushima Prefecture provides online training on infection control for elderly and disabled people

On May 25, Fukushima Prefecture held an online training session on countermeasures against the new coronavirus for employees of facilities for the elderly and disabled. The purpose was to prevent the outbreak of clusters. This is the first time that a prefectural government has held a training session for elderly welfare facilities and support facilities for the disabled.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 23, 2021 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Disability Japan

60 patients infected with coronavirus in Toyama, largest cluster found at facilities for the disabled

The social welfare corporation ‘Imizu Fukushi Kai’, which runs Imizu-en, a facility for those with mental disabilities in Toyama Prefecture’s Imizu City where a cluster of the new coronavirus has emerged, announced on the 23rd that a total of 60 users and employees had been infected in one day.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 22, 2021 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Japan Mental Health

1,548 people infected with COVID-19 at Japan’s psychiatric hospitals, 60% unable to be transferred for treatment

According to the Japan Association of Psychiatric Hospitals, from March last year to January this year, a total of 1,548 people, including 1,123 patients and 425 staff members, were infected at 116 facilities nationwide. Of these, about 60% wanted to be transferred to coronavirus beds but were unable to do so, mostly because of mental disorders, according to the association.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 20, 2021 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Election Japan

Japanese ruling and opposition parties agree to enact law to allow COVID-19 patients to vote by mail

Japanese ruling and opposition parties on Thursday 20th May agreed to enact a new law to allow COVID-19 patients recovering in hotels or at home to vote by mail in national and local elections. COVID-19 patients and people who had close contact with them are required to stay in hotels or at home while they recover. It is difficult for them to visit polling stations.