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‘Seamless Buddy’ AI App Visualizes the Strengths and Weaknesses of People with Disabilities Seeking Employment

“Seamless Buddy,” a system that makes it possible to visualize the abilities of people with disabilities, is attracting attention. In March of this year, the system was recognized, and Yoko Takahashi (50), the representative of Danway (Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki City), which developed it, was selected for the “Kawasaki Entrepreneur Excellence Award.”

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Japan’s Parliament to Apologize for Forced Sterilization

Japan’s parliament is likely to apologize to the victims of forced sterilization during its extraordinary session expected to be held this autumn, it was learned Tuesday. At hearings conducted by steering committees of both parliamentary chambers, ruling and opposition lawmakers called on the legislative branch to make an apology on its own for the inhumane acts carried out under the now-defunct eugenics law after the Supreme Court found the law unconstitutional.

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Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education to abolish boarding schools for intellectually disabled children by the end of FY 2024

The Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education has decided to abolish boarding schools at both Tochigi and Nasu special needs schools in March 2025. The decision was made public at an information session for parents that began on July 10th. These were the only two boarding schools for intellectually disabled children in the prefecture, so all such schools will be abolished.

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Former Eugenic Protection Law plaintiff, man from Sendai City visits his father’s grave to announce victory in lawsuit

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling ordering the government to pay compensation for the former Eugenic Protection Law, a plaintiff living in Tokyo visited his father’s grave in his hometown of Sendai to report the outcome of the trial. As a child, Kita was placed in an institution for behaving in a problematic manner, and was forced to undergo surgery at the age of 14.

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The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #43: Megumi Prepares to Transfer Control of Business & Disability News Japan in The Mainichi!

Megumi, which operates a group home for people with disabilities, submitted its business policy to Aichi Prefecture on July 12th, indicating its intention to transfer the business within the year. There is a possibility that some facilities will no longer be able to operate.

Megumi aims to transfer the business to a separate corporation within the year. After being found to have inflated food costs and fraudulent compensation claims, Megumi was administratively punished by Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City, and will no longer be able to operate group homes nationwide.

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Japan Discussing Details of Day Care for All Infants

Japan’s Children and Families Agency has begun discussions on details of the planned program to make day care services available for all infants regardless of whether their parents are working or not, sources said. Under the program, set to be fully launched as early as fiscal 2025, day care services will be available for a certain amount of time for all children aged 6 months to 2 years who do not attend nursery schools.

Care Crime Japan Megumi Corporation

“Some facilities will no longer be able to operate” as Disgraced Megumi Care Facility Operator Prepares to Transfer Control of Business

Megumi, which operates a group home for people with disabilities, submitted its business policy to Aichi Prefecture on July 12th, indicating its intention to transfer the business within the year.

There is a possibility that some facilities will no longer be able to operate… Megumi, which operates a group home for people with disabilities, aims to transfer the business to a separate corporation within the year.

After being found to have inflated food costs and fraudulent compensation claims, Megumi was administratively punished by Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City, and will no longer be able to operate group homes nationwide.

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Mental Health Experts to Join Japan Delegation at Paris Olympics

The Japanese delegation to the Paris Olympics, which begin later this month, will include four mental health experts to help create a better environment for Japanese athletes. It will be the first Summer Olympics where such experts, called “welfare officers,” will accompany Japanese athletes. Previously, mental health services for Japanese athletes were provided online. But Dohi said it is “easier for athletes to talk” to accompanying experts.