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by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 7, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Gaming Japan Technology

Children with Special Medical Needs and Disabilities Experience Latest Gaming Tech at Tokyo Event

An event was held in Tokyo on the 6th, offering “children with medical needs” – who require daily medical support – and children with disabilities the chance to experience gaming through technology. Because “children with medical needs” wear medical devices such as ventilators on a daily basis, their opportunities to go out and participate in activities are limited. Around 60 families attended the event to try out games suitable for parents and children, such as a “giant ball rolling” game, as well as playing musical instruments by operating tablets with tiny bodily movements.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 7, 2026 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Film Japan Podcast

Japan health ministry teams up with film to promote understanding of developmental disabilities [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announced in a press release on August 5 that it has partnered with the upcoming film ‘Parallel and Vertical’ as part of a nationwide campaign to promote public understanding of developmental disabilities. The film directed by Seitaro Kobayashi and starring Shota Yasuda and Non, opens in cinemas across Japan on Aug. 28. The story follows the siblings as they confront a major turning point in their lives when the younger sister prepares to marry, prompting both to reconsider the nature of their lifelong bond.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 6, 2026 1
developmental disabilities Disability Japan

Japan health ministry teams up with film to promote understanding of developmental disabilities

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announced in a press release on August 5 that it has partnered with the upcoming film ‘Parallel and Vertical’ as part of a nationwide campaign to promote public understanding of developmental disabilities. The film directed by Seitaro Kobayashi and starring Shota Yasuda and Non, opens in cinemas across Japan on Aug. 28. The story follows the siblings as they confront a major turning point in their lives when the younger sister prepares to marry, prompting both to reconsider the nature of their lifelong bond.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 5, 2026 Number of comments0
Care Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan

85% of Families of People with Disabilities in Japan Express Concern Over ‘after the parents are gone’ Issue

According to a 2025 survey conducted by the Nippon Foundation of 2,500 people with family members who have disabilities, 85.5 percent said they felt anxious about what would happen after the parents of a person with disabilities were no longer able to provide care, the TBS TV programme ‘Newsdig’ reported on August 3rd. Among families with members who have severe intellectual disabilities, nearly every household reported having such concerns.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 5, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Earthquake Group Homes (GH) Japan Podcast Welfare

More than 20,000 People with Disabilities in Japan Waiting for Care Facilities Across 30 Prefectures, Kumamoto quake updates [Podcast Episode]

At least 20,000 people with disabilities across 30 prefectures are waiting to enter residential care facilities or group homes (GHs) despite wishing to use them, a nationwide survey by Kyodo News found on Aug. 2. Seventeen prefectures said they either did not track waiting lists or did not disclose the figures, citing reasons such as the lack of a standardized method for compiling the data.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 4, 2026 1
Care Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan Welfare

More than 20,000 People with Disabilities in Japan Waiting for Care Facilities Across 30 Prefectures; Government Lacks Comprehensive Data

At least 20,000 people with disabilities across 30 prefectures are waiting to enter residential care facilities or group homes (GHs) despite wishing to use them, a nationwide survey by Kyodo News found on Aug. 2. Seventeen prefectures said they either did not track waiting lists or did not disclose the figures, citing reasons such as the lack of a standardized method for compiling the data.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 4, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Disasters Earthquake Japan Kumamoto Podcast

Update One Week After Kumamoto Earthquake [Podcast Episode]

As of Monday 3rd August, 38 people have died, 278 disability care homes were ‘affected’ and some ‘disaster-related deaths’ have sadly occurred. A total of 278 disability care facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture have been affected by the powerful earthquake that struck the region earlier this week, Kyodo reported on July 31, citing the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry. A woman in her 70s died while sleeping in a car, apparently from heatstroke. Her death was judged potentially to be disaster-related, with the physical and mental strain of life as an evacuee among the possible causes.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 3, 2026 1
Disability Disasters Earthquake Japan Kumamoto

Death Toll from Kumamoto Quake Rises to 38

The death toll from Tuesday’s powerful earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, has risen to 38 as two more deaths have been confirmed, the prefectural disaster response headquarters said Sunday. A woman in her 70s died while sleeping in a car, apparently from heatstroke. Her death was judged potentially to be disaster-related, with the physical and mental strain of life as an evacuee among the possible causes.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 3, 2026 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Nursing Care Podcast

Sakai District Court Rules Dismissal of Whistleblower Nurse at Disability Facility Invalid [Podcast Episode]

A nurse who worked at a disability support facility in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, filed a lawsuit claiming it was unlawful for the facility to dismiss them after they made a public-interest whistleblower report about problems at the facility. The Sakai branch of the Osaka District Court ruled that the dismissal was invalid, finding that it was intended to remove the nurse from the workplace, and ordered the facility to pay unpaid wages and damages. The court ordered the facility to pay the three plaintiffs a total of more than ¥20 million in unpaid wages, damages, and other compensation.