Another Life

Memory Of Moment

At first, elevators were not included in the reconstruction plan pushed by Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura, who insisted that the rebuilt castle should be as faithful to the original as possible. However, the plan has faced opposition from disabled people’s groups and others.

Episode Notes:
Special elevators eyed for Nagoya Castle rebuild for barrier-free accessibility: 

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2022/12/22/special-elevators-eyed-for-nagoya-castle-rebuild-for-barrier-free-accessibility/

‘Elevator at Nagoya Castle!’ Aichi disability groups appeal to Governor to reconsider renovation plans: 

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2018/09/20/elevator-at-nagoya-castle-aichi-disability-groups-appeal-to-governor-to-reconsider-renovation-plans/

The Possibility of a Barrier Free Nagoya Castle & A Merry Christmas!

Two years have now passed since the disability studies scholar and Japanologist Mark Bookman PhD (1991 - 2022) died on December 16th 2022. At the time of his death, Mark was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Tokyo College and about to take up a position at Ritsumeikan University. 

The film ‘Mark: A Call to Action’ chronicles his life and the ‘GLIDE fund’ is an organization established in Mark’s memory to provide financial assistance to disabled students interested in education exchange experiences to foster an inclusive society in which anyone can lead an independent and self-determined life. GLIDE Fund, Inc. is an established 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions to the Fund are fully tax deductible as allowed by law in each territory.

Mark’s sister Rachel Bookman also passed on July 4th 2024.

Episode Notes:

‘Mark: A Call to Action’ (Amazon Prime Video US): 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DFV7V9Y6/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

GLIDE Website: https://www.glidefund.org

Second Anniversary of Disability Studies Scholar and Japanologist Dr. Mark Bookman’s Death

Japan will substantially hike visa issuance fees for foreign residents in the next fiscal year and utilize the additional revenue to strengthen policies supporting multiculturalism, government sources said Thursday.

The new fees come amid a rise in foreign residents in the country, with the cost of changing visa status or reissuing for a term of one year or longer to be hiked by up to 40,000 yen ($250) or so from the current 6,000 yen. A permanent residency visa may be upped to over 100,000 yen from 10,000 yen.

Episode notes:

‘Japan to raise visa fees for foreign residents next fiscal year’ (Kyodo):

https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/65315#:~:text=The%20new%20fees%20come%20amid,100%2C000%20yen%20from%2010%2C000%20yen.



Japan to raise visa fees for foreign residents next fiscal year [Podcast Episode]

Almost half of Japanese nationals feel familiar with loneliness and isolation, a government survey showed Friday. According to the Cabinet Office’s first public opinion survey on the issue, 48.4% of respondents answered they feel “familiar” or “rather familiar” with such feelings, while 49.6% chose “not familiar” or “rather do not feel it.” The remaining 2.0% did not answer.

Episode notes:

‘Nearly Half of Japanese Familiar with Loneliness, Isolation’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/13/nearly-half-of-japanese-familiar-with-loneliness-isolation/


On Loneliness and Isolation in Japan

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 be available every Friday at 6am Japan Time.

Japan to raise visa fees for foreign residents next fiscal year [Podcast Episode]

Disability News Japan

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