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by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 4, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics

Despite Ending Sponsorship of International Olympic Committee, Toyota to Continue “direct support to athletes and equipment for sports for the disabled”

Toyota has served as a highest-ranking sponsor under a 10-year contract starting in 2015. The company has provided vehicles for officials and athletes at five Summer and Winter Games during that period. According to officials, Toyota has paid approximately 200 billion yen ($1.4 billion) to the IOC.The automaker intends to continue providing direct support to athletes and equipment for sports for the disabled even after the sponsorship agreement ends, Toyoda said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 3, 2024 Number of comments0
Disability Employment Japan Welfare

Japan’s Welfare Ministry Reports Only 50.1% of Companies Achieved Legal Employment Rate for People with Disabilities in 2023

According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, only 50.1% of companies achieved the legal employment rate for people with disabilities of 2.3% in 2023. The legal employment rate for private companies was raised to 2.5% in April 2024, and is scheduled to be further raised to 2.7% in July 2026.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 2, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan

Awards ceremony held for businesses in Yamanashi Prefecture proactive in hiring people with disabilities

In order to raise interest and understanding in hiring people with disabilities, Yamanashi prefecture and other organizations are awarding businesses that are proactively hiring and exemplary people who have worked there for many years in line with “Disability Employment Support Month” in September.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 1, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan Work

Japan’s UNIQLO’s Owner ‘Fast Retailing’ Reportedly Employs More than 1,000 People with Disabilities

The statutory employment rate for people with disabilities in Japan was raised to 2.5% in April 2024, and a policy has been announced to make it 2.7% in fiscal 2026. UNIQLO’s parent company, ‘Fast Retailing’ employs 1,167 people, saying it has set a goal of “employing at least one person with disabilities per store.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 1, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Film Japan Mark Bookman

Film about Academic Mark Bookman ‘Mark – A Call to Action’ On Amazon US on October 8th 2024

There is one week to go until the release of ‘Mark – A Call to Action’ on October 8th 2024! Mark Bookman was a historian, whose specialism was disability policy and related social movements in Japanese and global contexts. He studied Japanese Studies at University of Pennsylvania, and at the time of his death on December 16th 2022 he was Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Tokyo. The film is directed by Ron Small.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 28, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Paris Summer Paralympics Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games Wheelchair

Gold-winning Paris Paralympian Tennis Player Tokito Oda Triumphs in First Match Since Games

18-year-old Tokito Oda, who won the gold medal in the men’s singles at the Paris Paralympics, showed his skills by winning his first match after the Games in Tokyo in straight sets 2-0. Oda won a gold medal in men’s singles and a silver medal in men’s doubles at his first Paralympic Games in Paris. Oda, ranked No. 1 in the world, played his first match after the Paralympics in the first round of the men’s wheelchair singles tournament held in Koto-ku, Tokyo, against a Chinese player ranked No. 55 in the world.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 27, 2024 Number of comments0
developmental disabilities Disability Japan Podcast

National Network for People with Developmental Disabilities to be Formed [Podcast Episode]

A forum was held in Tokyo on September 22nd to form a national network for people with developmental disabilities, Kyodo News reported. In order to reflect the voices of people with developmental disabilities in national and local government policies, local groups of people with developmental disabilities have decided to form a national network. Representatives of the initiators exchanged opinions on issues such as employment and welfare. A website will be launched within the year and participation will be encouraged.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 26, 2024 1
Barrier Free Dementia Disability Japan Welfare

Central Japan City Creates “Dementia Help Mark”

The central Japan city of Obu, Aichi Prefecture, has created an orange-colored “dementia help mark” to make it easier for people to talk to dementia sufferers in need of support. The step was proposed by Ryuichi Takai, 74, who lost his father with dementia in a train accident. “I hope the help mark will become available nationwide to reduce as much as possible the number of people who have to feel the same kind of grief I did,” Takai said.