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by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Infectious Diseases Influenza Japan

Japan’s flu cases hit warning level at fastest pace in 10 yrs

The Japanese government said Friday the average number of influenza patients at designated medical institutions nationwide has hit warning levels at the fastest pace in 10 years, with some experts pointing to the rising number of inbound tourists as one of the likely factors for the epidemic’s earlier-than-usual spread. Across roughly 3,000 institutions, 145,526 patients were reported during the week from Nov. 10 to Sunday, averaging 37.73 people per facility and surpassing the warning level of 30, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 21, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports Sports

Japanese Sweep Podium in Tokyo Deaflympics Men’s Hammer Throw

Japan dominated the men’s hammer throw at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics on Thursday, sweeping the podium as 21-year-old Riki Toyama captured gold with a personal best of 60.19 meters, followed by world record holder Masatoshi Morimoto with 56.04 meters and Takamasa Ishida with 55.51 meters. In the pool, Ryutaro Ibara, a four-time gold medalist at the 2022 Games, added a silver in the men’s 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:05.11. Toyama, who embraced his senior teammates after securing victory, said he owed his breakthrough to learning from Morimoto and Ishida.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 21, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports Podcast Sports

Japan Picks Up Five Judo Bronzes, Gold in Men’s 400-metres at Tokyo Deaflympics [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s first judo podium came on Nov. 14, when Kazuma Gamo secured bronze in the men’s 73-kilogram division. The remaining medals followed on Nov. 17, with Yuto Fukasawa taking bronze in the men’s 81-kg class, Mizuki Mizutare in the men’s 90-kg, and Tomoki Takahashi in the men’s 100-kg. In the women’s events, Akira Kinugawa added another bronze in the 70-kg category.

Maki Yamada won the men’s 400-meter race at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics on Wednesday, earning Japan its first gold medal at the ongoing event.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 20, 2025 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Health Hospitals Japan

University of Tokyo Hospital Doctor Arrested for Alleged Bribery

A 53-year-old doctor at the University of Tokyo Hospital was arrested Wednesday for allegedly taking about 700,000 yen in bribes from a medical equipment maker official in return for using the firm’s devices on a priority basis. Arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department of Tokyo was Takehiro Matsubara, a doctor at the hospital’s Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 19, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports

Japan Picks Up Five Judo Bronzes at Tokyo Deaflympics

Japan’s first judo podium came on Nov. 14, when Kazuma Gamo secured bronze in the men’s 73-kilogram division. The remaining medals followed on Nov. 17, with Yuto Fukasawa taking bronze in the men’s 81-kg class, Mizuki Mizutare in the men’s 90-kg, and Tomoki Takahashi in the men’s 100-kg. In the women’s events, Akira Kinugawa added another bronze in the 70-kg category.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 19, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Discrimination Housing Intellectual disabilities Japan Podcast

Osaka Woman With Intellectual Disability Refused UR Housing, Raising Rights Questions [Podcast Episode]

A 60-year-old woman with an intellectual disability in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, was denied a UR rental apartment despite having spent more than a year preparing to live independently with support from a local nonprofit, prompting concerns that the agency’s requirement for a co-resident family member constitutes discriminatory treatment.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Care Children Disability Group Homes (GH) Japan

90% of Families of People with Disabilities in Japan “Worried” About Life After Parents’ Death

A recent survey by a private organization has revealed widespread anxiety among families of adults with disabilities in Japan, with 90.2% expressing worry about their loved one’s life after the parents pass away, and 58.2% reporting they are reaching the limits of providing care.