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by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Elderly Japan

Japan Eyes 300,000-Yen Limit on Daily ATM Use for Elderly

Japan’s National Police Agency is considering setting a ceiling of 300,000 yen per day on the amount of money elderly people can withdraw or send from automated teller machines, it was learned Tuesday. 
   The agency has consulted with the Japanese Bankers Association to revise the enforcement regulations of the criminal proceeds transfer prevention law in response to the increasing number of special fraud cases targeting the elderly.
   Currently, banks voluntarily set the upper limit on cash withdrawals from ATMs at 500,000 yen per day, with no legal regulations.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 26, 2025 1
Autism Disability Education Japan

Tokyo operator of school for children with autism required nondisclosure ‘pledge’ from parents: Mainichi exclusive

A school operator in the Tokyo suburbs required parents of newly enrolled students to submit a written pledge promising not to leak internal school information to outside parties, sources have told the Mainichi Shimbun. Musashino Higashi Gakuen is known for its inclusive education model, in which children with and without autism study together. Some parents have noted that “few places offer inclusive education for children with autism,” amid growing unease about the institution’s future.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Children Day Care Service Disability Japan Podcast

Sendai Parents of Children with Disabilities Call for Increase in Short-term Hospital Beds [Podcast Episode]

An organization made up of parents of severely physically and mentally disabled children receiving medical care at home has requested Sendai City to expand hospital beds and day care services. The organization visited Aoba Ward Office in Sendai City on March 24th and handed in a request letter calling for an increase in short-term hospital beds for severely physically and mentally disabled children and adults who play an important role when their family members are unwell, and an expansion of day care services that they use on a daily basis.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Children Day Care Service Disability Japan

Parents of severely disabled children request Sendai City expand hospital beds and day care services

An organization made up of parents of severely physically and mentally disabled children receiving medical care at home has requested Sendai City to expand hospital beds and day care services. The organization visited Aoba Ward Office in Sendai City on March 24th and handed in a request letter calling for an increase in short-term hospital beds for severely physically and mentally disabled children and adults who play an important role when their family members are unwell, and an expansion of day care services that they use on a daily basis.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 24, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Expo 2025 Health iPS Japan

“Osaka Healthcare Pavilion” Unveiled to Press

A preview ceremony was held Sunday for the “Osaka Healthcare Pavilion” to be run by the prefecture and city of Osaka at the 2025 World Exposition, which begins next month in the western Japan city. 
   Inside the pavilion, a myocardial cell sheet using induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cell technology and an experience-based area where avatars are generated based on visitors’ health data were shown to the press.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 24, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Politics Reiwa Shinsengumi

Extract from The Mainichi Shimbun’s Interview with Yasuhiko Funago, Diet Member with ALS [Podcast Episode]

Yasuhiko Funago (67), a member of the House of Councillors of the Reiwa Shinsengumi, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is severely disabled, attracted a great deal of attention when he was elected for the first time in 2019. About five and a half years have passed since then, and Funago says he feels that the reasonable accommodations being promoted in the Diet for people with disabilities are being mistakenly interpreted as “giving charity from above.”

In the podcast is an extract from the interview, rendered using text-to-speech software.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 22, 2025 1
ALS Barrier Free Disability Japan Politics Reiwa Shinsengumi

Member of Japan’s House of Councillors with ALS, Yasuhiko Funago Concerned that Reasonable Accommodations in the Diet Mistaken for “giving charity from above”

Yasuhiko Funago (67), a member of the House of Councillors of the Reiwa Shinsengumi, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is severely disabled, attracted a great deal of attention when he was elected for the first time in 2019. About five and a half years have passed since then, and Funago says he feels that the reasonable accommodations being promoted in the Diet for people with disabilities are being mistakenly interpreted as “giving charity from above.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 21, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Elderly Health Japan Paid Referrals Podcast

The Saga of ‘Paid Referrals’ of Disability Welfare Services Continues [Podcast Episode]

By March 17th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare had thoroughly informed local governments that it is prohibited for disability welfare service facilities and businesses to pay money or goods to referral companies in return for introducing users to them, as this is a violation of the operating standards. It was originally prohibited to pay referral fees to consultation support specialists who create service usage plans and other disability welfare businesses, but the treatment of the general public and referral companies was unclear, so this was clarified.