Sohei Kamiya, founder and prominent figure of the right-wing political party Sanseito, faced criticism from disability rights groups and medical experts in the lead up to the election after remarks made in a party-published booklet that denied the existence of developmental disabilities resurfaced.
Election time is over and yes the right wing Sanseito party made gains, winning about 14 seats. In other news, Japan’s central and local governments are required under a new law to take steps to promote the use of sign language, aiming to build momentum ahead of hosting the Deaflympics in November. The law took effect on June 25 following the approval in parliament of legislation drafted by cross-party lawmakers. It marks the first time Japan has enacted a law specifically on sign language, according to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. Calling the legislation “historic,” the Japanese Federation of the Deaf said in a statement it is “deeply moved” when thinking of the predecessors who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of sign language.
Sohei Kamiya, founder and prominent figure of the right-wing political party Sanseito, faced criticism from disability rights groups and medical experts in the lead up to the election after remarks made in a party-published booklet that denied the existence of developmental disabilities resurfaced.
Forty-two women were elected to the House of Councillors in Sunday’s election, hitting a record high for the upper chamber of Japan’s parliament. The number of female candidates reached 152, the second highest on record. Of them, 27.6 pct were elected, surpassing the success rate of 22.4 for male candidates. Women made up 33.6 pct of all elected candidates, exceeding 30 pct for the first time.
Japan’s central and local governments are required under a new law to take steps to promote the use of sign language, aiming to build momentum ahead of hosting the Deaflympics in November. The law took effect on June 25 following the approval in parliament of legislation drafted by cross-party lawmakers. It marks the first time Japan has enacted a law specifically on sign language, according to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. Calling the legislation “historic,” the Japanese Federation of the Deaf said in a statement it is “deeply moved” when thinking of the predecessors who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of sign language.
Hyoshim Maeng, a North Korean defector now living in South Korea, is drawing attention to the treatment of people with disabilities under the Kim regime. Her mother, who contracted polio as a child, lived without state support in North Korea. The family fled the country in 2018. Hyoshim Maeng now advocates for disability rights, describing widespread stigma, minimal access to education, and limited mobility. Her account highlights the gap between official narratives and lived realities for disabled people in North Korea.
A group of people with intellectual disabilities in Japan has created and published an online dictionary for teaching others about election-related terms and the steps to vote. With Sunday’s election for the House of Councilors — the upper chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament — drawing closer, in-person and online study sessions have been held using the dictionary. The 236-page “Senkyo no Kotoba” (terms of election) dictionary contains about 170 election-related terms, such as “the right to vote,” “candidate” and “democracy,” and the voting procedure is explained in hiragana letters in principle. The group of about 30 people, mostly users of Soshien, a social welfare organization for people with intellectual disabilities in the city of Higashiosaka in Osaka Prefecture, spent a year making the dictionary from April 2024.
Kyoto Animation Co. held a memorial on Friday to honor the 36 victims of the 2019 arson attack, with families renewing the memories of their loved ones on the anniversary day that came months after the assailant dropped an appeal to overturn his death sentence. “Works that have been left (by the victims) are still moving the hearts of many people. You have clearly made a mark on the world, and we are proud of that,” a representative of the families said in a message read out in a ceremony at the site in Kyoto where the burned down No. 1 Studio once stood.
Hyoshim Maeng, a North Korean defector now living in South Korea, is drawing attention to the treatment of people with disabilities under the Kim regime. Her mother, who contracted polio as a child, lived without state support in North Korea. The family fled the country in 2018. Hyoshim Maeng now advocates for disability rights, describing widespread stigma, minimal access to education, and limited mobility. Her account highlights the gap between official narratives and lived realities for disabled people in North Korea.
Sanseito, which is seen expanding its Upper House presence by gaining constituency and proportional representation seats, based on public opinion polls, is advocating a “Japanese First” policy. It is urging that Japan review its admission of foreigners. “We’ll see more clashes between Japanese people and foreigners in society,” Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya said in a stump speech Thursday in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, expressing concern over the government’s current policies.
Barrier Free Japan