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by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 16, 2025 Number of comments0
Crime Hospitals Japan

Ex-head of Japan hospital suspected of covering up murder in hospital

A former head of a hospital in northeastern Japan and his doctor brother were sent to prosecutors on Saturday for allegedly covering up the murder of a patient by another patient in 2023, police said. Takashi Ishiyama, 61, and Tetsu Ishiyama, 60, the primary physician of the victim who was killed at Michinoku Memorial Hospital in Aomori Prefecture, were arrested Friday on suspicion of fabricating a death certificate that stated the cause of death as pneumonia. The murderer has already been sentenced to 17 years in prison for fatally stabbing Seietsu Takahashi, 73, in the face with a toothbrush. The assailant had been hospitalized for alcohol addiction and was sharing a room with Takahashi, according to a court ruling. The Ishiyamas were allegedly aware of the murder but tried to hide it, including by providing the false death certificate to Takahashi’s family.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 15, 2025 2
Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Disability welfare service company to close seven offices in Yamagata prefecture

It has been revealed that a disability welfare service company with its headquarters in Shinjo City has indicated its intention to close its seven Type A continuous employment support offices in the prefecture at the end of March next year. According to the company, it plans to close seven Type A continuous employment support offices, where disabled people work under employment contracts, in Shinjo City, Murayama City, and other locations at the end of March next year, and lay off over 200 employees.

The company explained the reason for closing the facilities as follows: “The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has indicated its intention to abolish the annual income requirement for social insurance premiums. If this is abolished, we estimate that our annual burden will increase by approximately 68 million yen. It will be difficult to generate profits that correspond to this.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 14, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Japan Organ Donation Podcast

Japan’s Health Ministry Introducing System to Assist Institutions with ‘Brain-Death’ Organ Donations [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry this year started rolling out an online system to enable about 70 institutions with minimal experience in the processes behind organ donations from brain-dead patients to connect with core medical institutions that have abundant experience. The initiative seeks to help the inexperienced institutions with declaring patients as brain dead and is part of an effort to increase the number of organ donations in the country.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 13, 2025 Number of comments0
Cancer Disability Health Japan

Japan 10-Year Cancer Survival Rate at 54 Pct in Latest Survey

The 10-year survival rate of people diagnosed with cancer in Japan in 2012 came to 54.0 pct, up slightly from 53.5 pct for those diagnosed in 2011, the National Cancer Center said Thursday. By cancer type, the 10-year survival rate was 57.9 pct for stomach cancer, the most common cancer among the patients surveyed, and 58.1 pct and 32.6 pct, respectively, for bowel cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, the second and third most common types.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 13, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Japan Organ Donation

Japan’s Health Ministry Introducing System to Assist with Organ Donations; Institutions Inexperienced in Brain-Dead Donations To Get Help

Japan’s Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry this year started rolling out an online system to enable about 70 institutions with minimal experience in the processes behind organ donations from brain-dead patients to connect with core medical institutions that have abundant experience.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Children Health Japan

Children with Tooth Cavities at Record Low in Japan, Eyesight Continues to Deteriorate

The proportion of children with tooth cavities in Japan hit a record low in fiscal 2024, apparently reflecting advice on tooth brushing and other related initiatives at schools, a survey by the health ministry showed Wednesday. Meanwhile, children’s vision continued to deteriorate. The proportion of children whose vision was less than 20/20 stood at 36.84 pct at elementary schools, 60.61 pct at junior high schools and 71.06 pct at high schools, all the highest on record except for fiscal 2020 to fiscal 2023, when the survey period was different.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Health Japan Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Podcast

The Saga of “Scandal-Tainted Kobayashi Pharma Co” Continues [Podcast Episode]

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. said on Friday March 22nd 2024 it will voluntarily recall some 300,000 packs of five supplement products in Japan after reports of health damage suffered by users. The Osaka-based company said in March 2024 that 13 people had developed kidney disease and other symptoms after taking the products, advertised as foods with functional claims, including three containing “beni koji,” rice fermented with monascus purpureus, a species of mold that is red.