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by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 19, 2025 2
ADHD Autism Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Work

“ASD is a sloth, ADHD is a monkey, trauma disorder is a sheep” New Book by Japanese Counselor Classifying Neurodivergent People as Animals Sparks Controversy

A new book by the counselor Yuko Kanda that categorizes people suffering from conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, depression, and trauma disorders as animals — and portrays them as “troublesome people in the workplace” — is drawing strong backlash for promoting discriminatory views. The book claims to be packed with “techniques for winning without fighting.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 19, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Children Disability Japan Welfare

Japan Enacts Bill to Better Protect Kids from Abuse

The legislation for revisions to child welfare and other laws is designed to make it easier to restrict meetings of parents with their children under the protection of child consultation centers.
Following the revisions, it will be possible to place such restrictions on parents and other guardians in cases in which abuse is suspected but not yet officially recognized. This will help prevent centers from falling into trouble with parents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Care Disability Japan Nursing Care

Federation of Nursing Care Providers ‘Disability Welfare Business Division’ Establishes 33rd Branch in Ehime Prefecture

The Ehime branch of a national organization that aims for sustainable welfare for persons with disabilities and improved treatment of care providers has been established. The branch’s general meeting, held in Matsuyama City, was attended by more than 100 people from 75 member care providers. Takayuki Niunoya, Ehime Branch Director said; ”The welfare of our country must be supported by us, the people. I would like to stand at the forefront of this effort with you all.” Ehime is the 33rd branch of the federation in Japan. The prefectural branch will work with other nursing care organizations and local governments in the prefecture to gather the voices of caregivers and make policy proposals to the national government.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 18, 2025 Number of comments0
ADHD Autism Education Japan Musashino Higashi Gakuen Podcast

Scandal-Hit ‘Inclusive’ Tokyo School Files Suit Against Parents Association and Reporter After Concerns Raised Over New Chairman [Podcast Episode]

On April 15th, Musashino Higashi Gakuen, an educational corporation based in Tokyo renowned for its inclusive educational model, filed a lawsuit seeking 725.72 million yen in damages. The lawsuit names several defendants, including individuals affiliated with an association purporting to protect the school, parents and guardians of graduates from its advanced vocational school, along with a reporter from the ‘Weekly Bunshun.’

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 17, 2025 1
ADHD Autism Barrier Free Disability Education Japan Musashino Higashi Gakuen

Scandal-Hit ‘Inclusive’ Tokyo School Files Suit Against Parents Association and Reporter After Concerns Raised Over New Chairman

On April 15th, Musashino Higashi Gakuen, an educational corporation based in Tokyo renowned for its inclusive educational model, filed a lawsuit seeking 725.72 million yen in damages. The lawsuit names several defendants, including individuals affiliated with an association purporting to protect the school, parents and guardians of graduates from its advanced vocational school, along with a reporter from the ‘Weekly Bunshun.’

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 16, 2025 Number of comments0
iPS Japan Medical

Kyoto Hospital Succeeds in iPS Sheet Transplant to Diabetic

Kyoto University Hospital has succeeded in transplanting pancreatic cell sheets made from induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cells into a diabetic patient, achieving the first clinical application of such sheets in Japan. Announcing the results Monday, the hospital said that the patient in her 40s has already been discharged with a favorable prognosis.  The hospital observed her for one month after the surgery and confirmed that there was no safety problem.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 15, 2025 Number of comments0
Japan Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 Para Sports Paralympics

2026 Olympic, Paralympic Torches Unveiled at Osaka Expo

The torches for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics next year were unveiled Monday at the Italian pavilion of the 2025 World Exposition in the western Japan city of Osaka. The Olympic and Paralympic torches, each weighing 1,060 grams and measuring 89 centimeters in length, differ in color and are designed in the image of a flame. They will be displayed at the pavilion until the Expo’s final day on Oct. 13. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said at a ceremony that the torches will carry a message of peace.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 15, 2025 Number of comments0
Hospitals Japan Podcast

Barrier Free Japan Experiences ‘Clinical Omotenashi’ [Podcast Episode]

Barrier Free Japan is now freed from hospital! After a stay during there the weekend after an ‘episode’ on Friday after work, he is out!

Apologies for the audio quality , but I thought it was still worth posting to reassure those who listen to the podcast or read the blog and sorry for the rather overly vague description of what happened. As I say in the podcast, it is not infectious or communicable, but outside of the West (and even in some countries in it) there is still some stigma towards it.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Blind Disability Japan Podcast Police

Yokohama Couple with Visual Impairments File Damages Lawsuit After Police Officers Enter Their Home Without Permission [Podcast Episode]

In the appeal trial of a lawsuit where a visually impaired couple residing in Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, is seeking damages from the prefectural police, alleging that police officers entered their home without permission, the prefectural police have newly asserted that “(even without sight) the movements of police officers can be understood by the sounds of their equipment.”