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by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 1, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan Kyoto

JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – 1 Year Later Update [Podcast Episode]

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. Almost one year later, it remains ‘out of order.’ It might seem a small thing to some, but one wonders how people would react if ‘regular’ – i.e. for non-disabled people – was ‘signed’ as being available but in actuality was permanently ‘out of order’.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 29, 2024 1
Crime Elderly Japan Yakuza

Former yakuza office repurposed to become elderly care facility

A building that used to be one of the main offices of the Kudokai crime syndicate in the city of Kitakyushu is now being used as a welfare facility for the elderly. The driving force behind the abolition of the office in 2011 was a local citizens’ campaign to eradicate the Kudokai, a specified dangerous crime syndicate known for its violent acts. The move later led to a public-private collaboration to crack down on the syndicate in the Kokuraminami ward of Kitakyushu. The building — once the second most important base for the Kudokai after its headquarters, also located in Kitakyushu — now houses a day care center for the elderly called Violin.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 28, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Election Intellectual disabilities Japan

Parents’ Association created pamphlet to support voters with intellectual disabilities

In order to encourage disabled young people over 18 to exercise their voting rights, a Fukushima City group made up of parents with intellectually disabled children created a pamphlet introducing the “proxy voting system” for the upcoming House of Representatives election, and is calling for active voting.

The “proxy voting system” is a system in which a polling station official can write the ballot for you if you have difficulty filling it out yourself due to a disability, illness, or injury.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 28, 2024 1
Disability Health Japan Medical

Medical society in Japan recommends steps to prevent mycoplasma pneumonia

A respiratory society and other institutions in Japan have jointly announced measures to prevent the spread of mycoplasma pneumonia, which is on the rise in the country. Mycoplasma pneumonia is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria. Children are more susceptible to infection than adults. Symptoms include a fever and a persistent cough. Cases of mycoplasma pneumonia began to rise this summer in Japan. Data from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases show that the weekly average number of cases reported by about 500 medical institutions nationwide hit a new high on October 13. It was the third straight weekly high since a new method of data collection was instituted.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 27, 2024 Number of comments0
Election Japan Podcast

Election Day in Japan: The Podcast Episode of ‘Do it Yourself!!’ [Podcast Episode]

As this blog post is being written it is 8PM on Sunday 27th October, the polls have just closed and NHK is predicting that the LDP and New Komeito may lose their majority.

The polling place near where Barrier Free Japan lives in Kobe had NHK crew near it in the morning and were asking questions about how people voted, and what they thought about far right groups like the ‘Sanseito’, a party that in English refers to themselves as the ‘Party of Do it Yourself!!’

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 26, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Minamata Disease

Minamata disease photo collection strikes chords of tragedy

A close-up of a Japanese fisherman’s contorted hand grimly reminds us of Minamata disease’s human toll, officially recognized in 1956, though it took over a decade for the government to link it to industrial pollution. A project, known as “Minamata: The Eyes of Photographers,” features over 200,000 photos, including original prints, which have been collected for digitization, storage and archival purposes, along with other materials such as the photographers’ interview notes. On Sept. 3, members of the organization visited the environment ministry to submit a request to create a government framework for the preservation and utilization of the photos.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 25, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast

Storytime with Barrier Free Japan: Unwanted ‘Backpack Grabs’ and Painful ‘Help’ [Podcast Episode]

This just happens too often to Michey of Barrier Free Japan. Michey will be walking down a street and then, from behind, someone will grab Michey’s backpack. Some will say ‘but they were trying to be kind.’ As someone with a physical disability, all I can say is this: their unwelcome attention is no less painful because it was well-intentioned. Just ask permission before grabbing people and their belongings!