The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has taken issue with the response of the organizing group regarding the participation of a man with a mild intellectual disability at a matchmaking party posted on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's website. The man was refused participation immediately after declaring his disability. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has asked the organizers to "take sincere action," and the group has expressed its intention to improve.

Episode Notes: 

‘Man with Intellectual Disability Refused Participation in Tokyo Matchmaking Event, Told “only people who are healthy in body and mind are eligible to participate” ’

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/10/22/man-with-intellectual-disability-refused-participation-in-tokyo-matchmaking-event-told-only-people-who-are-healthy-in-body-and-mind-are-eligible-to-participate/

Intellectually Disabled Man Barred from Tokyo Matchmaking Event, Told “only healthy are eligible”

This just happens too often to Michey of Barrier Free Japan. Michey will be walking down a street and then, from behind, someone will grab Michey’s backpack. Some will say ‘but they were trying to be kind.’ As someone with a physical disability, all I can say is this: their unwelcome attention is no less painful because it was well-intentioned. Just ask permission before grabbing people and their belongings!

Storytime with Barrier Free Japan: Unwanted 'Backpack Grabs' and Painful ‘Help'

Tomorrow, Sunday October 27th 2024, is a general election in Japan, or more specifically, an election for the ‘lower house’ the House of Representatives. I did think it was kind of cool that Hiromi Fujisue, the Japanese Communist Party Candidate for the Hyogo 1st District,, passed by me and seemed to waved at me from her van whilst canvassing today.

On The Eve Of An Election In Japan

As this blog post is being written it is 8PM on Sunday 27th October, the polls have just closed and NHK is predicting that the LDP and New Komeito may lose their majority.

The polling place near where Barrier Free Japan lives in Kobe had NHK crew near it in the morning and were asking questions about how people voted, and what they thought about far right groups like the ‘Sanseito’, a party that in English refers to themselves as the ‘Party of Do it Yourself!!’

Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/10/27/election-day-in-japan-the-podcast-episode-of-do-it-yourself-podcast-episode/

Election Day in Japan: The Podcast Episode of ‘Do it Yourself!!’

A Post-election in Japan digest podcast episode, full of pneumonia and abandoned Yakuza facilities!

Episode Notes: 

‘Medical society in Japan recommends steps to prevent mycoplasma pneumonia’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/10/28/medical-society-in-japan-recommends-steps-to-prevent-mycoplasma-pneumonia/

‘Former yakuza office repurposed to become elderly care facility’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/10/29/former-yakuza-office-repurposed-to-become-elderly-care-facility/

Post-Election, Pneumonia & So Long Yakuza and Thanks for the Care Facility!

Back in December 2023, Barrier Free Japan wrote about they often leave Kyoto by JR Kyoto Station and noted that one of JR Kyoto Station’s ‘accessible toilets’ had been ‘out of order’ or 'unavailable for use' for weeks. 

Almost one year later, it remains ‘out of order.’ It might seem a small thing to some, but one wonders how people would react if ‘regular’ - i.e. for non-disabled people - was ‘signed’ as being available but in actuality was permanently ‘out of order’.

Episode Notes:

‘JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – 1 Year Later Update’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/10/31/jr-kyotos-seemingly-permanently-out-of-order-accessible-toilet-1-year-later-update/

JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – 1 Year Later Update

December 3rd to December 9th every year is Disability Week. The Disabled Persons Week was established by the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities to promote interest and understanding of welfare of persons with disabilities among the public at large, and to promote active participation of persons with disabilities in activities in all fields.

Shinagawa Ward also focuses on efforts to deepen understanding of people with disabilities during this period. 

Every year, Shinagawa Ward holds a “Gathering to Commemorate Disabled Persons Week” with the hope that as many people as possible will become aware of Disabled Persons Week and that they will take an interest in the welfare of people with disabilities.

This year, the event will be held at Kyurian again, Shikimachi Mizuki, a violinist who has cerebral palsy will perform a piece composed for the event, “Barrier-free Heart: Healing Tones”.

Episode notes:

'"Gathering to Commemorate Disabled Persons Week" Event to be Held in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo on December 7th 2024’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/11/03/gathering-to-commemorate-disabled-persons-week-event-to-be-held-in-shinagawa-ward-tokyo-on-december-7th-2024/

Shikimachi Mizuki on Soundcloud:

‘Memory of Moment’:

https://soundcloud.com/mizuki-shikimachi/memory-of-moment?in=mizuki-shikimachi/sets/s-ballad&si=83faaedfd9704a35879bfa35340aec49&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Violinist with Cerebral Palsy Mizuki Shikimachi to Perform in Shinagawa During Disabled Persons Week

Ota Ward in Tokyo has decided to introduce a free "5-year-old health check" for preschool children. It has already started on a trial basis at nurseries in the ward. The test places more emphasis on mental development than the current school entry health check, takes more time to test. The aim is to lead to early detection and support of developmental disorders. 

Ota Ward began the trial of five-year-old health checkups in October for some nursery school children. Based on the results, it is considering implementing them for all five-year-olds in 2026.

Episode Notes:

‘Ota Ward, Tokyo Launches Free “Five-year-old check-ups” for Early Detection of Developmental Disorders’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/11/05/ota-ward-tokyo-launches-free-five-year-old-check-ups-for-early-detection-of-developmental-disorders/

Tokyo Ward Launches Free “Five-year-old check-ups” for Early Detection of Developmental Disabilities

Companies in Japan of a certain size are required by law to employ people with disabilities, according to the ‘Act on Promotion of Employment of People with Disabilities’. 

Companies with 40 or more employees in Japan are required by law to employ at least one person with a disability. According to the Toyama Labor Bureau, over half of the companies that meet that certain size have not employed a single person, so-called zero-employment companies.

Episode Notes:

‘Over Half of Companies in Toyama Prefecture Employ No People with Disabilities’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/11/07/over-half-of-companies-in-toyama-prefecture-employ-no-people-with-disabilities/

Over Half of Companies in Toyama Prefecture Employ No People with Disabilities

The saga of Barrier Free Japan versus JR Kyoto Station’s toilet ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ continues…

Back in December 2023, Barrier Free Japan wrote about they often leave Kyoto by JR Kyoto Station and noted that one of JR Kyoto Station’s ‘accessible toilets’ had been ‘out of order’ or ‘unavailable for use’ for weeks. 

Barrier Free Japan reported on October 31st 2024 that almost over one year later, it remained ‘out of order.’ 

On Friday 8th November 2024, Barrier Free Japan observed an ‘accessible toilet’ which was ‘un-taped off!’

Episode Notes:

‘(Update) JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – There is Hope!’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/11/10/update-jr-kyotos-seemingly-permanently-out-of-order-accessible-toilet-there-is-hope/

JR Kyoto’s Seemingly Permanently ‘Out of Order’ ‘Accessible Toilet’ – There is Hope!

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.

New tracks tagged #障害