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by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 17, 2024 2
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan Nagoya

After Lawsuit Settlement, Forced Sterilization Victim Keiko Onoue says: “I kept silent for about 50 years because there were no people to discuss it with”

A settlement was reached on Friday 15th November at the Nagoya High Court in central Japan in a damages lawsuit over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenic protection law. After the settlement was reached, the plaintiff, Keiko Onoue (74) spoke about how she “kept silent for 50 years” as there was no one with whom she could “discuss” it. Speaking at a press conference after the settlement was reached, Keiko Onoue said “I kept silent for about 50 years because there were no people to discuss it with…Now that a new relief law has been created, I hope more victims can come forward.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 17, 2024 2
Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan

Last Remaining Forced Sterilization Lawsuit in Japan Settled

A settlement was reached Friday at Nagoya High Court in central Japan in a damages lawsuit over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenic protection law, ending a series of similar lawsuits in the country, according to the defense lawyers. The Nagoya lawsuit was filed by Keiko Onoue, 74, and her husband, Kazutaka, 77, against the Japanese government. The settlement terms are based on an agreement reached between the two sides in September.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 16, 2024 1
Disability Elderly Health Japan My Number

Japan to Abolish Health Insurance Cards as Planned

Japanese digital minister Masaaki Taira reiterated that the government will stop issuing new health insurance cards on Dec. 2 as planned in a move to integrate them into “My Number” electronic personal identification cards. “There is no change in our policy to proceed (with the abolition) as scheduled,” Taira said in a recent interview. At the same time, Taira underscored the importance of the government making efforts to eliminate public distrust in problem-prone My Number cards.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 15, 2024 Number of comments0
Alzheimer’s Disability Japan

European Agency Switches to Recommending New Alzheimer’s Drug

The European Medicines Agency said Thursday that its committee evaluating medical products has recommended partial approval of sales of lecanemab to treat Alzheimer’s disease. The committee of the pharmaceuticals watchdog had shown a negative opinion in July on the medicine, developed by drugmakers Eisai Co. of Japan and Biogen Inc. of the United States.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Alzheimer’s Dementia Disability Japan

Japan OKs Insurance Coverage of Alzheimer’s Drug Donanemab

Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council, which advises the health minister, approved Wednesday public health insurance coverage for donanemab, an Alzheimer’s medicine developed by U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly & Co. The government set the drug’s price at 66,948 yen per 350-milligram vial. As a dip is required every month, it will cost a patient about 3.08 million yen per year. Treatment with donanemab will last up to 18 months. Due to the high costs, the government will provide subsidies to cap patients’ out-of-pocket expenses. As a result, most of the costs will be shouldered by the government. The insurance coverage will start Nov. 20.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Blind Japan Travel

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Seeks to Interview People with Visual Impairments Who Fell from Station Platforms

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is interviewing visually impaired people who have fallen from station platforms about the circumstances of the fall in order to raise awareness among related parties and prevent the recurrence of falls by visually impaired people from station platforms. The information the ministry obtains will be made public if the consent of the interviewee(s) is given.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 13, 2024 Number of comments0
Japan LGBT

Japan Industry Ministry Lifts Restroom Ban on Trans Worker

Japan’s industry ministry has enabled a transgender employee to use all women’s restrooms in the ministry building, it was learned Tuesday. The employee, who is registered as male under the family registry system but lives as a woman due to gender dysphoria, had been allowed to use women’s restrooms at least two floors away from the one where she worked. The National Personnel Authority initially approved the restroom use restriction.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 12, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Eugenics Japan Relationships

(Update) Disabled man denied entry to matchmaking party in Tokyo

A man who has experienced nightmare dates with women he met online believed that a Tokyo government-related matchmaking service would provide a safe and perhaps last opportunity to find love.
But the not-for-profit organization that arranged the matchmaking event rejected the man’s application to attend after learning about his minor intellectual disability. The organizer said in a notice that participants are “limited to mentally and physically healthy people.” The Bureau of Citizens, Culture and Sport found fault with the way the organization treated the man after learning about his disability, and it temporarily suspended the organization’s event announcements on the website.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 11, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan Kyoto Podcast

JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – There is Hope! [Podcast Episode]

The saga of Barrier Free Japan versus JR Kyoto Station’s toilet ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ continues…Back in December 2023, Barrier Free Japan wrote about they often leave Kyoto by JR Kyoto Station and noted that one of JR Kyoto Station’s ‘accessible toilets’ had been ‘out of order’ or ‘unavailable for use’ for weeks. Barrier Free Japan reported on October 31st 2024 that almost over one year later, it remained ‘out of order.’ On Friday 8th November 2024, Barrier Free Japan observed an ‘accessible toilet’ which was ‘un-taped off!’