Disability News Japan
304 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 12 hours ago -Hosted by Michael Gillan Peckitt, who resides in Kobe, Japan, the Disability News Japan Podcast is News website 'Barrier Free Japan's podcast, a weekly digest of some of the news about disability in Japan in audio form. New episodes will usually available every Friday at 6am Japan Time.
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Episodes
Tokyo Govt Offers 200 Visually Impaired Free Tickets to Paris Paralympics 2024 Judo Qualifying Event
November 25, 2023 12:22 - 1 minute - 3.14 MBOn November 22nd, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced through a press release that it is offering 200 tickers for spectators who have visual impairments for free for the Paris Paralympic Qualifier IBSA Judo Grand Prix which is to be held on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th December 2023 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. “IBSA Judo Grand Prix Tokyo 2023", the qualifying round for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, will be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. This tournament is the se...
Survey Reports Abuse By Jehovah’s Witnesses In Japan
November 23, 2023 21:00 - 7 minutes - 12.9 MBOn November 20th, a defense team supporting former members of the religious group Jehovah’s Witnesses held a press conference and stated that many second-generation parents who were raised by believer parents have experienced abuse from their parents. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/11/20/many-second-generation-jehovahs-witnesses-in-japan-experienced-abuse-by-their-parents-lawyer-alleges/ https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/11/21/90-pct-of-children-of-jehovahs-witnesses-foll...
The Apocalypse In Japan Will Be Podcasted!
November 22, 2023 21:00 - 2 minutes - 3.71 MBOn Tuesday 21st November 2023 North Korea was suspected of attempting to launch a spy satellite or a ballistic missile. Here are the sounds of NHK reporting it at around 22:55.
Consultation Service Set Up For Disabled Users Overcharged For Food At Group Homes
November 21, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 5.56 MBGroup homes for people with disabilities operated by a company in Minato Ward, Tokyo, are being audited by the national and local governments for allegedly overcharging food expenses. A support group for the disabled has set up a consultation service, citing widespread concern among users and their families. Megumi, which is headquartered in Minato Ward, Tokyo and operates group homes for the disabled in various locations, is under investigation by the local government for allegedly overchar...
Kyoto Police Officer Confesses to Stealing Cash from People with Dementia
November 19, 2023 21:00 - 4 minutes - 7.82 MBA Kyoto Prefectural Police Officer, who was arrested for stealing cash from the scene of an investigation, told police that he had visited other homes of elderly people with dementia under the guise of crime prevention guidance and stole cash, according to interviews with investigators. The police are investigating whether there are any additional crimes, but in an interview with an investigator, it was learned that he had explained to the investigator that he had visited the home of an elde...
How Dare You Become A ‘Care Leaver’ In Japan?
November 16, 2023 21:00 - 6 minutes - 12.3 MBPrime Minister Kishida has instructed his cabinet ministers to quickly study the need to prevent “care leavers” from quitting their jobs for nursing care or nursing reasons, with the aim of submitting the necessary amendments to the law in next year’s ordinary Diet session. In an effort to strengthen measures against dementia, the government has established the “Council for Realization of a ‘Happy Aging Society’ Facing Dementia” with the participation of people affected by dementia and their...
Do Disabled Tokyoites Want a ‘Heart to Heart Handshake’?
November 13, 2023 21:00 - 8 minutes - 14.8 MBThe Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced in a press release on November 7th that it “will carry out various initiatives in conjunction with ‘Disabled Persons Week’ from December 3rd to 9th in order to give Tokyo residents an opportunity to learn about and think about disabilities and people with disabilities.” According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website ‘Heart-to-Heart Handshake’, a “slogan suitable for Disabled Persons Week was chosen through a public contest, and the poster w...
Wheelchairs In Japan Are Burning!
November 09, 2023 21:00 - 6 minutes - 11.2 MBIncidents with people using wheelchairs, especially elderly people using wheelchairs, seem to be reported more often in Japan. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/11/07/kansai-railway-line-suspended-due-to-collision-with-wheelchair-user/ https://barrierfreejapan.com/2018/09/17/wheelchair-using-man-killed-at-kobe-railway-crossing/
Kanagawa Care Facility Employee Arrested for Assault “was in a hurry”
November 06, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 7.23 MBAccording to the Kanagawa Prefectural Disability Services Division, the employee said that he was on his way to take another resident for a medical checkup when the resident spoke to him repeatedly, and that he assaulted the resident because he was in a hurry and his medical checkup time was approaching. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/11/05/employee-at-kanagawa-care-facility-for-disabled-says-he-assaulted-resident-because-he-was-in-a-hurry/
Kanagawa Prefecture Facility For Disabled Employee Arrested For Assaulting User
November 04, 2023 21:00 - 5 minutes - 9.72 MBA 37-year-old employee at a prefectural support facility for people with disabilities in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a male user, causing serious injuries that left his leg cracked. According to the police, at around 2:20 p.m. on November 2nd, a 29-year-old male user was pushed to the ground in the hallway of the facility, causing serious injuries that included a crack in the thigh bone of his right leg. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.c...
Japan’s Supreme Court Grand Bench To Rule On Forced Sterilization Damages
November 02, 2023 21:00 - 6 minutes - 11.1 MBThe Japanese Supreme Court’s First Petty Bench decided Wednesday to have the top court’s Grand Bench issue a unified ruling on five damages lawsuits filed by forced sterilization victims under the now-defunct eugenic protection law. The lawsuits were initially filed with district courts in Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe. All but Tokyo District Court found the old law unconstitutional, while all the five rejected damages claims citing the statute of limitation. Episode Notes: https:...
First Prison in Japan to House Only Young Inmates with Developmental and Other Disabilities Opens
October 31, 2023 21:00 - 5 minutes - 10.5 MBThe first prison in the country to house only young inmates with physical disabilities or intellectual disabilities, with an emphasis on supporting their reintegration into society, was established in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/10/30/first-prison-in-japan-to-house-only-young-inmates-with-developmental-and-other-disabilities-opens/
First Reaction After Watching Sagamihara-inspired Film ‘Moon’
October 29, 2023 21:00 - 5 minutes - 9.72 MBThe movie “Moon,” modelled on the Sagamihara Massacre has opened nationwide in Japan and on Sunday 29th October 2023, I watched it. Here are my initial thoughts, recorded almost right after watching the movie. Apologies for the sound quality, I just wanted to capture how the movie struck me. Episode notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/10/22/disabled-actors-star-in-sagamihara-massacre-inspired-film-moon/
Sony Unveils New Video Game Controller For Gamers With Disabilities
October 26, 2023 21:00 - 7 minutes - 14 MBFive years in the making, Sony PlayStation is releasing a new highly adjustable video game controller for a wide variety of gamers with various physical disabilities. Playing video games has long been a challenge for people with disabilities, chiefly because the standard controllers for the PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo can be difficult, or even impossible, to maneuver for people with limited mobility. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/10/24/sony-unveils-new-video-game-contro...
Disabled Actors Star In ‘Sagamihara Massacre’ Inspired Film ‘Moon’
October 23, 2023 21:00 - 5 minutes - 9.95 MBThe film 'Moon' is set in a facility for the severely disabled, where the disabled are repeatedly subjected to heartless treatment and violence. The story depicts an employee with an irrationally amplified sense of justice and mission as he approaches the incident. In June of last year, the users of “AGALA” (Arita City, Wakayama Prefecture), a facility that supports the employment of people with disabilities, were offered the chance to appear in a movie. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreeja...
Reports Of Abuse At Takatsuki City Care Facility To Be Investigated
October 21, 2023 21:00 - 4 minutes - 7.84 MBAn interview with a person concerned revealed that a man in his 50s was seriously injured last month (September) at a facility for the disabled in Takatsuki City, Osaka, breaking his ribs. According to the facility, one of the former employees admitted to assaulting the man, and the city is now investigating the details. Three organizations representing people with disabilities in Aichi Prefecture have submitted a written request to the prefectural government and the city of Nagoya demanding...
Emperor and Empress of Japan Attend National Arts and Culture Event for Disabled People
October 16, 2023 21:00 - 2 minutes - 4.52 MBJapan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Sunday visited Ishikawa Prefecture to attend the opening ceremony of the National Cultural Festival and the National Arts and Culture Festival for Persons with Disabilities in Kanazawa, the prefecture's capital. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/10/16/japan-emperor-empress-visit-ishikawa-pref-attends-national-arts-and-culture-festival-for-persons-with-disabilities/
On Recent Cases Of Suspected Abuse At Mie Care Facilities
October 15, 2023 21:00 - 6 minutes - 11.4 MBSome issues and incidents regarding people with disabilities in Japan seem to keep re-appearing and re-occurring. They also often seem to keep happening in the same place. A lot of the recent cases of suspected abuse of people with disabilities seem to occur in Tsu City in Mie Prefecture, western Japan. The episodes notes for this podcast episode provides a brief timeline of the suspected abuse reported in the press. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/10/14/suspected-abuse-of-d...
Are Disabled People In Japan Ready For 'Society 5.0'?
October 12, 2023 21:00 - 11 minutes - 21.6 MBAccording to the Japanese Government, 'Society 5.0' is a “human-centered society that achieves both economic development and the resolution of social issues through a system that highly integrates cyberspace (virtual space) and physical space (real space)." Episode Notes: 'Society 5.0': https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/society5_0/ The Robots Are Coming! (To Take Care of You, We Promise): https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/08/17/disability-news-japan-podcast-the-robots-are-coming-to-take-care-of-...
Tokyo’s Edogawa City Ward Office to Enter the ‘Metaverse’
October 10, 2023 21:00 - 8 minutes - 14.9 MBTokyo’s Edogawa Ward is trialing a virtual ward office in the metaverse, aiming to offer administrative services for people unable to visit the real-life office. In the “metaverse ward office,” local residents can use their avatars to move around inside a virtual municipal hall, which is designed like the real one, after accessing the virtual space from the ward’s website. The ward aspires to make the service fully available to all residents, covering all of its departments by fiscal 2028. ...
October 2023: 75th Anniversary of Helen Keller’s 1948 Visit to Japan
October 07, 2023 21:00 - 4 minutes - 7.41 MB“Miss Keller met the press upon completion of her tour of Japan and gave her impressions of the work being done here for the blind and deaf. Just as the education of normal people in Japan depends on school boards represented by intelligent men and women alive to democracy and public ideals, so the blind and the deaf will receive the best assistance if the persons appointed to watch over their affairs are well qualified, forward-looking and sincerely interested in the well-being of the senso...
Yokohama City Recognizes Two Cases of Abuse at Facilities for Persons with Disabilities
October 05, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 6.27 MBTwo cases of abuse at a facility for persons with disabilities in Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama City, where staff members kicked users in the knees, have been recognized by the city as abuse of persons with disabilities, and the city has instructed the facilities to prevent recurrence. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/10/05/yokohama-city-recognizes-two-cases-of-abuse-at-facilities-for-persons-with-disabilities/
Intellectually Disabled Mother Potentially Separated From Child
October 03, 2023 21:00 - 2 minutes - 3.83 MBIt was learned on October 1st that a 31-year-old woman with a mild intellectual disability living in a group home (GH) in Kanagawa Prefecture gave birth to a boy and wanted to raise him, but had no choice but to place him in an infant home. They were not accepted at GH, and it was difficult to receive sufficient childcare support outside of the GH. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/10/03/people-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-japan-unable-to-raise-their-children-sent-to-infa...
Unauthorized Access to Data about Deaf People at Mie Support Centre
October 01, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 6.1 MBThe Mie Prefectural Support Center for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, which provides support for the hearing impaired and trains sign language interpreters, announced that someone had gained unauthorized access to a staff member's computer, possibly leaking the names, addresses, and other personal information of about 1,200 people, including the hearing impaired and sign language interpreters, to outside parties. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09/30/unauthorized-computer-ac...
The JR Shibuya Disability Accessibility Report
September 26, 2023 21:00 - 5 minutes - 10.8 MBI went to Tokyo for an academic conference, my first time going to Tokyo for over four years. I do approve of the work that is being done on JR Shibuya Station to make it more accessible, but I can appreciate that it can be an inconvenience to some people whilst the work is being carried out.
The Pre-Visiting Tokyo Podcast
September 22, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 6.1 MBA jury trial began on September 20th at the Okayama District Court for a mother accused of strangling and killing her 8-year-old son, who was severely intellectually disabled, in Wake Town, Okayama Prefecture in June 2022. The mother admitted to the indictment, saying, "There is no doubt.” Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09/20/there-was-no-one-i-could-talk-to-about-my-worries-mother-admits-charges-for-strangling-son-with-a-severe-intellectual-disability-to-death/
Matching App ‘Irodori’ for Disabled in Japan Reaches 10,000 Downloads
September 17, 2023 21:00 - 4 minutes - 7.92 MBA free app for people with disabilities and supporters seeking friendship in Japan has achieved 10,000 downloads in two months since its launch in July. As with other matching tools, users of the "Irodori" app register their own information, such as date of birth and gender, and it has a field to enter whether or not they have a disability. The app has communities where people with similar interests can communicate with each other, and a matching function for men and women. Users' feedback in...
‘Sagamihara Massacre' Prefectural Government May Privatize Care Homes
September 14, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 5.58 MBAt the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly on September 12, Governor Kuroiwa announced his intention to transfer three of the prefectural support facilities for people with disabilities to the private sector. Among the prefectural facilities, Nakai Yamayuri Garden will continue, and the future direction of Serigaya Yamayuri Garden and Tsukui Yamayuri Garden will be considered based on the operational status. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09/13/management-of-three-kanagawa-prefe...
Obsession To Care For Disabled Wife By Himself Led Man To Kill Her
September 12, 2023 21:00 - 7 minutes - 13.7 MBIt was a chilling act, and one with an unusual motive. The death of the 79-year-old woman was not a mercy killing. The husband bore no ill-feelings toward her, nor did he feel overburdened by caring for her for about 40 years. Instead, he stubbornly felt that he, and he alone, should be the one tending to the needs of his beloved partner, even when he became too weak to do the job. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09/11/obsession-to-care-for-disabled-wife-by-himself-led-man-t...
Disabled in Japan’s Workplace Experienced 600 Cases of Financial Abuse, 47 Verbal & 24 Physical
September 10, 2023 21:00 - 2 minutes - 4 MBIn terms of specific damage, there were cases where people were paid less than the local minimum wage, and cases where people suffered burns when a gas burner was pressed against their arms. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09/09/update-656-disabled-abused-in-the-workplace-in-fy2022/
656 Disabled Abused in the Workplace in Japan in FY2022
September 09, 2023 21:00 - 2 minutes - 4.86 MBJapan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced on September 8th that in fiscal year 2022, a total of 656 people with disabilities were found to have been abused by their superiors or employers in the workplace, an increase of 30.7% from the previous year. Episode Notes https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09/08/656-people-with-disabilities-in-japan-were-abused-in-the-workplace-in-fy2022-30-increase-from-previous-year/
Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025 To Make Diversity A Theme
September 07, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 6.23 MB“At the World Expo 2025 (Osaka Kansai Expo), based on “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” theme and “Unity in diversity” venue design concept, we respect the values and individuality of each person, regardless of his/her nationality, culture, race, sex, generation, whether he/she has disabilities or not, etc., and aim to implement a universal design that is easy to use for people from all over the world visiting the Osaka Kansai Expo.” Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09...
Trial Starts Over 2019 KyoAni Arson Attack, Suspect Admits Charges
September 05, 2023 21:00 - 4 minutes - 8.92 MBA man accused of carrying out a deadly arson attack on a Kyoto Animation Co. studio four years ago admitted the charges in the indictment, in the first hearing of his trial at Kyoto District Court on Tuesday. The defense said Aoba should be acquitted due to his mental incompetence or given leniency due to his diminished capacity. Episode Notes: ‘ “I now think that I went too far” Suspect in 2019 KyoAni Arson Attack Admits Charges’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09/05/i-now-think-that-i-...
Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics Emblem Unveiled & 90 Year-Old Wheelchair-User Summits Mt. Fuji
September 04, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 5.59 MBAlpinist Yuichiro Miura, 90, reached the summit of Mount Fuji with a group of friends and family on Thursday, having used a wheelchair for the three-day ascent. With the theme of the “circle'' that connects people through the tournament, the design features a hand used in sign language and cherry blossom petals as motifs, and will be widely used in PR for the tournament. Episode Notes: ‘90-year-old Japanese alpinist summits Mount Fuji in wheelchair’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/09/03/...
Nagoya subway replaces platform timetables with QR codes to cut costs
September 03, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 6.99 MBAll timetables have been removed from platforms on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Sakura-dori Line and replaced by QR codes that allow users to check the schedule on the web instead. Episode Notes: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230901/p2a/00m/0bu/012000c
Suspected Abuse at Care Facilities for People with Disabilities in Mie Prefecture Reported
September 01, 2023 21:00 - 4 minutes - 7.6 MBIn August, it was discovered that there was a suspicion that a staff member assaulted a resident at a facility for the disabled in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. According to Mie Prefecture Inaba-en, a facility for the disabled in Inaba-cho, Tsu City, there was a whistleblower report on August 25 that there was a suspicion of abuse. It was shown how to assault an adult resident with a disability. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/08/31/left-in-a-pickup-truck-disabled-person-call...
The Saga Of Nagoya Castle’s Accessibility Issues Continues...
August 29, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 7.01 MBA group of legislators with disabilities requested on Aug. 21 that Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura consider installing an elevator going up to Nagoya Castle’s top floor, as the city aims to replace the current reinforced concrete castle keep with a wooden structure true to the building’s roots. The group consisting of disabled National Diet and local assembly members from across the country, whose name translates to “the network to promote independence and political participation of people wit...
Japan’s Princess Kako Attends High School Sign Language Speech Contest
August 28, 2023 21:00 - 2 minutes - 4.64 MBJapanese Princess Kako attended the 40th national high school sign language speech contest held in Tokyo on Sunday 27th August 2023 “I strongly hope that a society where everyone can have a wider range of choices will be created,” the princess, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, said using sign language. Princess Kako gave applause to each of the 10 high school students who joined the event. This is the second time that Princess Kako has attended the conte...
Survey by Tokyo Recruiting Firm Finds People with Intellectual Disabilities Struggle to Find Jobs
August 27, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 7.04 MBA survey by the Tokyo-based recruiting firm ‘Leverages’ found that 26% of people with disabilities who are working took “more than a year” to find their first job. 42% of those who answered “more than a year” were intellectually disabled, the highest percentage by disability. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/08/26/survey-by-tokyo-recruiting-firm-finds-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-struggle-to-find-jobs/
‘Unmanned stations’ Prompts Disability Groups in Japan to Worry About Freedom of Movement
August 25, 2023 21:00 - 4 minutes - 8.91 MBAs early as 20th November 2019, disability groups in Kyushu, specifically disability groups in Oita Prefecture had concerns about ‘unmanned stations’, although protest rallies were held as long ago as late September 2018. In November 2019, it was reported that a“civic group made up of people with disabilities and supporters will file a lawsuit seeking compensation from the Oita District Court.” Since 2020, more wheelchair users and other parties have filed numerous lawsuits with the Oita Dis...
Nagano Government Revokes ‘Designated’ Status of Employment Support Company for Disabled over Abuse
August 23, 2023 10:51 - 2 minutes - 5.03 MBNagano prefecture has taken administrative action to revoke the designation of a corporation operating an employment support facility for persons with disabilities in Ueda City, on the grounds that it had repeatedly abused several users. This is the first time that the prefecture has revoked the designation of a business that provides support to persons with disabilities. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/08/22/in-first-for-the-prefecture-nagano-government-revokes-designated-s...
Twenty-Six Prefectures in Japan ‘blacked out’ Information on Former Eugenic Protection Law Victims
August 21, 2023 20:59 - 4 minutes - 7.51 MBIn response to a Japanese Diet investigation into the issue of forced sterilization of persons with disabilities under the former Eugenic Protection Law (1948-96), 26 prefectures submitted ‘blacked out’ documents to the Japanese Diet, according to an interview with the Research Bureau of the House of Representatives and local governments. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/08/20/twenty-six-prefectures-in-japan-blacked-out-information-on-former-eugenics-protection-law-victims/
The Robots Are Coming! (To Take Care of You, We Promise)
August 17, 2023 21:00 - 7 minutes - 14.1 MBThrough the OriHime sponsored Disability Equality Training meeting, all participants will discuss diversity and coexistence with “disability” as an entry point, think about it, and connect it to action to realize diversity and coexistence. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/08/17/worlds-first-even-a-bedridden-person-with-a-disability-can-become-a-facilitator-with-the-alter-ego-robot-robotics-company-orihime-sponsors-disability-equality-training/
The Post Typhoon Lan One
August 16, 2023 21:00 - 1 minute - 3.4 MBTyphoon Lan, or the 7th typhoon of the 2023 Typhoon Season ‘did its thing’ here in Kansai on Tuesday 15th August 2023. In the episode notes is a link to a YouTube video showing what it looked like in my corner of Kobe. Episode Notes: https://youtu.be/to18uph7p8M
The Sound Of The Typhoon
August 14, 2023 07:57 - 1 minute - 2.93 MBTyphoon 7 ‘Lan’ is due to make landfall on Honshu, Japan sometime on Tuesday 15th August 2023. It may seem odd, but in my experience, most typhoons are best experienced through the sound of the wind and rain, rather than the visual; or at least it is not a good idea to go outside (much) if the visual would be more interesting! What you are hearing is from Monday 13th August 2023 to 4PM Monday 14th August 2023.
‘Administrative Sanctions’ for Nagasaki Care Facility Over Abuse of Disabled Users
August 13, 2023 21:00 - 2 minutes - 4.84 MBIt was discovered that a facility for persons with disabilities in Sasebo City was abused by its staff, and the city imposed an administrative sanction to suspend acceptance of new users for one year. This facility is used by people with intellectual disabilities and people with physical disabilities, and according to Sasebo City, 5 cases of physical abuse and 1 case of psychological abuse were confirmed in 2022. In fiscal 2015, the facility had also used inappropriate physical restraints, ...
Between Typhoon Days & Disabled Resident of Hokkaido Facility Falls Out of 2nd Floor Window, Injured
August 11, 2023 21:00 - 3 minutes - 6.5 MBAt a support facility for the disabled in Betsukai, East Hokkaido, a male resident who was locked in a second-floor room by a male staff member fell out of a window and sustained injuries. The Hokkaido Prefectural Government is conducting interviews with the staff to investigate the possibility that the incident may have been an act of abuse. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/08/10/male-resident-of-hokkaido-facility-for-disabled-injured-after-falling-out-of-window-of-2nd-floor...
Typhoon and a Lack of “special consideration” for Employees with Children with Disabilities in Japan
August 08, 2023 21:00 - 6 minutes - 11.2 MBA survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare found on August 6th that 81.7% of companies answered that they “do not give special consideration” even if their employees have children with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities tend to take time off from work to go to hospitals or accompany them, and often have no choice but to give up their careers. The government’s study group is asking companies to provide support that respects the wishes of their employees. Regarding ...
Former Director of Osaka Prefecture Facility for Disabled Arrested for Quasi-forced Indecency
August 07, 2023 21:00 - 2 minutes - 5.18 MBA former director of a facility for the disabled in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, was arrested and indicted for committing an obscene act against a woman who entered the facility. The former director of a facility (87) for the disabled in Nishi Ward, Sakai City, was arrested and indicted for quasi-forced indecency. According to the indictment and other documents, the defendant is accused of indecent acts such as touching the breasts of a woman with an intellectual disability (42 years old a...
Shinya Tateiwa, Japanese Disability Studies Scholar Dies Aged 62
August 02, 2023 21:00 - 5 minutes - 10.4 MBShinya Tateiwa, a sociologist and professor at Ritsumeikan University, who was known for his essays on the disabled and euthanasia, including a critique of the murder case at a facility for people with disabilities in Sagamihara, passed away at 1:33 p.m. on July 31 at a hospital in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City due to a malignant lymphoma. He was 62 years old. Please forgive my bad pronunciation of the late Prof. Tateiwa's name, 'Tateiwa'. In the 'English tongue' it is best pronounced as 'Tateh-Ihwa'...