
Election time is over and yes the right wing party Sanseito made gains, winning about 14 seats. 

In other news, Japan's central and local governments are required under a new law to take steps to promote the use of sign language, aiming to build momentum ahead of hosting the Deaflympics in November. The law took effect on June 25 following the approval in parliament of legislation drafted by cross-party lawmakers. It marks the first time Japan has enacted a law specifically on sign language, according to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. Calling the legislation "historic," the Japanese Federation of the Deaf said in a statement it is "deeply moved" when thinking of the predecessors who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of sign language.

Episode notes:

‘Japan to promote sign language with new law ahead of Deaflympics’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/07/21/japan-to-promote-sign-language-with-new-law-ahead-of-deaflympics/

Japan to promote sign language with new law ahead of Deaflympics

Sohei Kamiya, founder and prominent figure of the right-wing political party Sanseito, faced criticism from disability rights groups and medical experts in the lead up to the election after remarks made in a party-published booklet that denied the existence of developmental disabilities resurfaced.

In the 2022 booklet Sanseito Q&A Book – Basics, Kamiya wrote, “If you provide the exact same education as for typical children, there’s no problem. Actually, developmental disabilities simply do not exist.” The booklet likened neurodevelopmental differences to personality quirks, using fictional characters from Doraemon as examples.

Episode Notes:

‘Sanseito Leader Kamiya Claimed Developmental Disabilities “do not exist” in 2022 Pamphlet’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/07/22/sanseito-leader-kamiya-claimed-developmental-disabilities-do-not-exist-in-2022-pamphlet/


Sanseito Leader Kamiya Claimed Developmental Disabilities “do not exist” in 2022 Pamphlet

In a prefectural facility for people with disabilities in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, 14 care workers physically abused residents, including hitting them forcefully. In response, the prefecture has issued an administrative punishment, suspending the intake of new residents for three months.

According to the prefectural government, 14 male and female care workers in their 20s to 70s committed 40 acts of abuse against 18 residents between July and October of last year. These acts included forcefully hitting residents on the face or head for spilling food and kicking them in the legs while administering medication.

Episode notes:

‘14 Staff Members Abused Residents at Gifu Disability Support Facility, Intake Suspended for Three Months’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/07/24/14-staff-members-abused-residents-at-gifu-disability-support-facility-intake-suspended-for-three-months/


14 Staff Members Abused Residents at Gifu Disability Support Facility

A memorial ceremony commemorating the victims of the 2016 mass stabbing at Tsukui Yamayuri-en, a care facility for people with disabilities, was held on Saturday July 26, marking nine years since the tragedy. The ceremony was organized by the Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Sagamihara City, and the facility’s managing welfare organization, took place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. at the facility in Midori Ward, where 19 residents were killed and 26 injured in one of Japan’s worst mass killings.

Kyodo reported that Kiyomitsu Nagai (age 55), the director of the facility, stood in front of the memorial altar alongside resident Masanao Shimada (also 55), and solemnly said, “You are, and will always be, irreplaceable.” At the flower offering table, people were seen placing flowers and praying, expressing their resolve: “We will not forget the incident.”

Some political action groups also marked the day as a way to highlight injustices against people with disabilities and minority groups in general. In Kobe, the group ‘Remember 7.26 Kobe Action’ on July 25 held a ‘silent action’.

Episode notes:

‘Memorials and ‘Silent Action’ by Disability Rights Groups Mark Ninth Anniversary of Sagamihara Stabbings’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/07/26/memorials-and-silent-action-by-disability-rights-groups-mark-ninth-anniversary-of-sagamihara-stabbings/


Nine Years Later, Memorials and ‘Silent Action’ Mark Loss of “irreplaceable” Victims of Care Home Stabbings

Japan has provided rehabilitation equipment to Ukraine to help support children with disabilities. More than 130 items are being delivered to the capital city of Kyiv through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The gear includes electric wheelchairs, and robot suits, which help wearers move their lower limbs with less effort. A handover ceremony was held at the rehabilitation center for children with disabilities in Kyiv on Tuesday 22nd July. Some children tried out the devices.

Episode notes:

‘Japan provides support for children with disabilities in Ukraine’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/07/28/japan-provides-support-for-children-with-disabilities-in-ukraine/


Japan provides support for children with disabilities in Ukraine

All ’Tsunami Warnings’ are now lifted, and at the time of recording, only some ‘advisories’ for northern and eastern Japan remained.

The government on Tuesday approved expanded disaster relief to better support the elderly and people with disabilities during emergencies, including armed attacks. There are concerns about disaster-related deaths, as some evacuees die due to their health deteriorating after evacuation. The government also sees a need to strengthen protection for evacuees in the event of armed attacks.

Episode notes:

‘Japan expands aid for the elderly and people with disabilities in emergencies’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/07/31/japan-expands-aid-for-the-elderly-and-people-with-disabilities-in-emergencies/


24 Hours After the Tsunami Warning

A woman was sent to hospital unconscious after an apparent bear attack outside a facility for people with disabilities, police said on Friday. More and more wild bears have been spotted in residential areas in Japan in recent years, resulting in a rising number of attacks and deaths. "A 73-year-old woman was found lying down with head injuries at the facility entrance on Thursday night," a local police spokesman in Akita Prefecture said. Emergency doctors told police they believed it was a bear attack based on the injuries the woman suffered, the spokesman said.

Episode notes:

‘Bear attacks woman outside disabled home in Akita’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/08/05/bear-attacks-woman-outside-disabled-home-in-akita/



Bear attacks woman outside home for people with disabilities in Akita

Nagoya Mayor Hirosawa has apologized to disability groups for discriminatory comments made at a June 2023 public forum on barrier-free access in the planned wooden reconstruction of Nagoya Castle’s main keep. At the meeting, a wheelchair user’s request for an elevator was met with remarks such as “endure it” and “don’t confuse equality with selfishness,” along with a derogatory term, drawing applause from some attendees. Then-Mayor Kawamura and city officials present did not intervene, prompting public outrage. Following a review, the city pledged human rights training for staff, formal apologies, and measures to prevent a recurrence. Hirosawa said the city will work to balance historical authenticity with accessibility in the reconstruction plan.

Episode notes:

‘Discriminatory Comments Over Nagoya Castle Accessibility Towards Wheelchair User Prompts Mayor to Apologize’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/08/09/discriminatory-comments-over-nagoya-castle-accessibility-towards-wheelchair-user-prompts-mayor-to-apologize/



Discriminatory Comments Over Nagoya Castle Accessibility Towards Wheelchair User Prompts Mayor to Apologize

A disability rights group has submitted over 23,000 signatures to JR Kyushu, urging an investigation and stronger safety measures following the death of a visually impaired woman at Tsukumi Station in Ōita Prefecture three years ago. The woman was struck by a limited express train during unstaffed hours in December 2022. The group, comprising people with visual and physical disabilities, also delivered a written statement reflecting concerns from visually impaired passengers. During a meeting at JR Kyushu’s Ōita branch, members called for clear rescue protocols for falls from platforms. Co-representative lawyer Yasuyuki Tokuda urged JR to take the voices of disabled passengers seriously.

Episode notes:

‘23,000 Sign Petition Demanding Safety Reforms After Death of Blind Woman at JR Tsukumi Station’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/08/09/23000-sign-petition-demanding-safety-reforms-after-death-of-blind-woman-at-jr-tsukumi-station/


23,000 Sign Petition Demanding Safety Reforms After Death of Blind Woman at JR Tsukumi Station

t’s Obon! Although there is an interesting article about how In June, Japan enacted the Act on the Promotion of Measures Concerning Sign Language, a law aimed at advancing the acquisition and use of sign language and preserving sign language culture. Building on the 2011 amendment to the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities, which recognized sign language as a language, and the spread of local ordinances such as Kanagawa Prefecture’s 2015 Sign Language Ordinance, the new legislation clarifies the responsibilities of national and local governments. It mandates securing opportunities for learning sign language, training interpreters, enhancing education, and ensuring cultural transmission. The law has prompted municipalities such as Yokohama to strengthen interpreter placement and related services, while deaf advocacy groups are calling for further expansion, particularly the assignment of interpreters to all ward offices.

Episode notes:

‘Deaf Advocacy Groups in Japan Hopes New Law Leads to Expanded Support’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/08/14/deaf-advocacy-groups-in-japan-hopes-new-law-leads-to-expanded-support/


Bring Out Your Dead on No News Obon!

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.

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