Japan’s health ministry has started monitoring acute respiratory infections, including cold symptoms, under the infectious diseases control law to detect unknown illnesses promptly. The measure, based on the lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic, allows the ministry to keep an eye on a wide range of infectious diseases to spot unknown illnesses.
Transreport is a UK-based accessibility technology company specializing in solutions that enhance travel experiences for disabled and older individuals. Their flagship product, the Passenger Assistance app, allows users to book assistance, communicate access needs, and provide feedback on public transport journeys.
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.”
The Japan Sports Agency’s commissioner Koji Murofushi expressed hope Tuesday that his country will host successful world athletics championships and Deaflympics later this year.
Since 2014, suspicions of human trafficking and forced labor of intellectually disabled people have emerged in salt fields in Sinan-gun, including Taepyeong Salt Fields. In 2022, victims of forced labour in salt fields spoke to the media, saying things like “I ran away but was caught” and “I was beaten.” The US has imposed an import ban on solar salt products produced by a Korean company, citing “forced labour.” This is the first time that a foreign government has banned the import of a Korean company’s products for the reason that they were made using forced labour.
Since 2014, suspicions of human trafficking and forced labor of intellectually disabled people have emerged in salt fields in Sinan-gun, including Taepyeong Salt Fields. In 2022, victims of forced labor in salt fields spoke to the media, saying things like “I ran away but was caught” and “I was beaten.” The US has imposed an import ban on solar salt products produced by a Korean company, citing “forced labor.” This is the first time that a foreign government has banned the import of a Korean company’s products for the reason that they were made using forced labor.
A Japanese startup will introduce an all-terrain electric wheelchair in 2026 that allows users to climb and descend stairs, and board trains and buses without assistance, with plans to develop a model that can navigate escalators. The wheelchair developed by Lifehub Inc., which normally drives on four wheels on flat surfaces, has caterpillar tracks to negotiate stairs, slopes and uneven ground.
he Japan Branch of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) has announced that Shoji Nakanishi, a former Chair and long‑serving Standing Committee member of DPI Japan, died on March 26, 2025. Nakanishi founded Japan’s first ‘Independent Living Centre’ in 1986.
Efforts to improve women’s rights are facing a backlash globally after decades of progress, Hiroko Hashimoto, head of the UN Women Japan National Committee, said in a recent interview. This concern was highlighted on the 50th anniversary of International Women’s Day on March 8, when members of 13 national committees around the world that support the UN Women, including in Japan, marched backwards, Hashimoto said.
The Japan Branch of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) has announced that Shoji Nakanishi, a former Chair and long‑serving Standing Committee member of DPI Japan, died on March 26, 2025. Nakanishi founded Japan’s first ‘Independent Living Centre’ in 1986.
Barrier Free Japan