Fukui Prefecture adopts ‘Help Mark’ to aid disabled people
“The help mark is a design with a white cross and heart arranged on a red background, Tokyo introduced in 2012. It has already being used in 34 prefectures.”
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Introducing The Disability News Japan Podcast
“The Disability News Japan Podcast is Barrier Free Japan’s Podcast, a weekly digest of some of the news about disability in Japan in audio form. New episodes will usually available every Friday at 3pm Japan Time.
This is the first episode, – the format and technology is still being experimented with, so this is ‘Episode Zero’ intended as kind of test run, I do hope you enjoy it.”
Disability groups protest JR Kyushu ‘unmanned station’ policy
“There was a rally meeting at a JR Kyushu station in Oita city on the 24th, against the large scale reduction of unmanned stations.”
Sapporo district court ruling on forced sterilization case makes courtroom accessible
“The Sapporo District Court ruling on a case to decide whether Kikuo Kojima (77) of Sapporo City is due damages on the grounds that sterilization was forced under the former eugenic protection law (1948-96) made the public gallery in the courtroom accessible for the hearings on the 25th. More than half – some reports say 60% – of the seats in the court room were allocated to accommodate the disabled people attending , to allow a caretaker with medical equipment, as well as sign language interpreters to accompany them.”
Cafe to showcase robot waiters steered from afar by people with ALS, other debilitating diseases
“The cafe, which will be open on weekdays between Nov. 26 and Dec. 7, will make use of robots controlled by people with diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a motor neuron disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.”
Niigata welfare facility report “8 people underwent forced sterilization surgery’
“8 people said they had undergone sterilization surgery at Niigata hospitals it has been learned. Niigata city and prefecture surveyed medical institutions and welfare facilities revealing the 8 instances of forced sterilization.”
Japanese Government to introduce written exam for job candidates with disabilities
“On September 21st, the government decided to introduce a common written examination for persons with disabilities, concerning the employment of full-time staff of ministries and agencies, in response to the problem of employment of persons with disabilities in the central government. “
E-ticket firm to refund Amuro fans turned away from concert for ‘invalid’ disability ID
“A company that handles electronic concert tour tickets for big-name musicians will be refunding fans of Namie Amuro who were turned away after presenting intellectual disability certificates as personal identification when trying to enter venues for her concerts, it has been announced.”
Hyogo Investigation committee submits report on disabled man kept ‘caged’ in Sanda city
“The investigative committee that was charged with examining the correspondence and reports of the city in a case where a disabled man was confined by his father for over 20 years in Sanda city, Hyogo Prefecture, has produced a summary of report which suggests neglect was a factor in the disabled man’s death. In addition, the report recommends to periodically review the situation of persons with disabilities by reviewing manuals etc. so as to give priority to safety and livelihoods of persons with disabilities.”
‘Elevator at Nagoya Castle!’ Aichi disability groups appeal to Governor to reconsider renovation plans
“An executive committee made up of a group of people with disabilities based in Aichi prefecture, who are against the policy of Nagoya City not to install an elevator in the castle tower when it is restored with a wooden floor, met on September 19th with Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura, and asked the city to work towards the installation of an elevator.”
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