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by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 16, 2024 Number of comments0
Crime Japan Mental Health

Manhunt continues after McDonald’s stabbings leave teen dead in Japan

Police continued their search on Monday for a man believed responsible for the stabbing death of a 15-year-old junior high school girl two days ago at a McDonald’s restaurant in southwestern Japan.

The man, described by witnesses as being around 40 years old, also stabbed a male student who was waiting in line with the female victim, Saaya Nakashima, at the fast-food restaurant in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. The 15-year-old boy, who police did not name, survived but suffered serious injuries.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 15, 2024 1
Care Crime Disability Japan Welfare

Fukui Prefecture Takes “administrative action” Over Fraudulent Claims of 7.95 Million Yen in Welfare Service Benefits for People with Disabilities

On December 13, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, took administrative action under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act to revoke the designation of ‘MIRAI’, a Type B support for continuous employment support facility operated by Imakoko, a general incorporated association in the city, for fraudulently claiming and receiving approximately 7.95 million yen in disability welfare service benefits.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan LGBT Relationships

Japan high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional

The Fukuoka High Court on Friday became the third high court in Japan to rule the country’s lack of legal recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, but upheld a lower court ruling to dismiss plaintiffs’ claim for damages. In the ruling, the court judged for the first time that civil law provisions not allowing same-sex marriage violated Article 13 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to the pursuit of happiness. The court also said the ban violates sections of the Constitution that guarantee equality under the law and upholds individual dignity and the essential equality of both sexes. “There is no longer any reason to not legally recognize marriage between same-sex couples,” Presiding Judge Takeshi Okada said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 12, 2024 1
Abuse Care Disability Hokkaido Japan

After Occurrences of Abuse are Discovered at Sapporo Facility for People with Disabilities, Ward Office Imposes Three-month Suspension on Admitting New Users

The city of Sapporo has taken administrative action to suspend the admission of new users to a disability support facility in Kiyota Ward for three months after two users were beaten and abused by staff at the facility. According to Sapporo City, on July 23rd of this year, a male staff member in his 40s at Sapporo Suginaen punched a male user in his 50s in the face and kicked another user in his 60s in the body. The social welfare corporation Hokushoukai commented, “We take this incident very seriously. We will work sincerely to prevent a recurrence.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 11, 2024 Number of comments0
Dementia Elderly Japan Missing Podcast Yasuko Arakawa

Woman with Dementia, Yasuko Arakawa is Missing 「荒川泰子さんが行方不明です。」[Podcast Episode]

Over a year has passed since Yasuko Arakawa, who had been diagnosed with an early-onset type of dementia, disappeared from their home in the western Japan city of Yonago on August 8th 2023. Her husband Tsutomu is desperately seeking any information on her whereabouts.  

荒川泰子さんは2023年8月8日、西日本の米子市の自宅から姿を消して以来、早期発症型認知症と診断されていた彼女の行方は、1年以上経ってもわかっていません。夫の勉さんは、彼女の行方に関する情報を必死に求めています。

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 10, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Health Japan

Elderly at higher risk of winter ‘heat shock’ deaths when bathing; Japan expert shares tips

Wintry temperatures have arrived in the Japanese capital and surrounding Kanto region. It’s the season when taking a bath can feel good, but that also means a higher risk of accidents, so experts are advising vigilance against so-called “heat shock”: sudden changes in blood pressure that can make someone lose consciousness or suffer a stroke.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 9, 2024 Number of comments0
Dementia Japan Missing Yasuko Arakawa

Yasuko Arakawa is Missing 「荒川泰子さんが行方不明です。」

Over a year has passed since Yasuko Arakawa, who had been diagnosed with an early-onset type of dementia, disappeared from their home in the western Japan city of Yonago on August 8th 2023. Her husband Tsutomu is desperately seeking any information on her whereabouts.

荒川泰子さんは2023年8月8日、西日本の米子市の自宅から姿を消して以来、早期発症型認知症と診断されていた彼女の行方は、1年以上経ってもわかっていません。夫の勉さんは、彼女の行方に関する情報を必死に求めています。