How might understanding the experiences of disability help us be more curious about our own and others' minds and bodies?

And, most importantly, how might any of that help us be kinder and more patient with ourselves and each other?

I’m profoundly grateful to legal scholar and disability media-maker Qudsiya Naqui for proposing today’s topic.

Qudsiya Naqui: https://law.udc.edu/qudsiya-naqui/

Theme music by Sean Balick. ”Mind Body Mind" by BodyTonic, via Blue Dot Sessions.

Ep. #304: Curious in Mind & Body, with Qudsiya Naqui

Japan’s overall suicides fell to 20,320 in 2024, the second-lowest figure on record, but the number of schoolchildren who took their own lives rose to a record 529, government data showed. Suicides among junior high school students reached their highest level since statistics began in 1980, with school-related problems cited as the leading cause. The 2025 White Paper on Suicide Prevention noted that overdoses, including those involving over-the-counter drugs, were a major factor among young people, prompting plans to tighten restrictions on drug sales to minors. Despite the nationwide decline, experts warn the record student suicides reflect deepening mental health and social issues among Japan’s youth.

Episode notes:

‘Japan student suicides hit record high in 2024 despite overall decline':

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/10/25/japan-student-suicides-hit-record-high-in-2024-despite-overall-decline/


Japan student suicides hit record high in 2024 despite overall decline

The Japanese gaming industry is working to improve video game accessibility by developing equipment and systems that allow people with disabilities affecting their hands to play by using other parts of their body, such as their cheeks, feet and eyes. There were people playing games without using their hands at an area dedicated to accessibility at the Tokyo Game Show in the city of Chiba in September. Such an area was set up at the show for the first time.

Episode notes:

‘Japanese Gaming Industry Moves to Improve Accessibility’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/10/27/japanese-gaming-industry-moves-to-improve-accessibility/




Japanese Gaming Industry Moves to Improve Accessibility

Erosionen

David and Rachel discuss amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and dignity at all stages of life. This is a heavy one; please listen with care and skip if needed.

Episode 436: ALS

A couple in Tokyo were all set to move into a new home when a real estate agent abruptly relayed a message from the apartment management company. “We regret to inform you that we cannot proceed with the contract.”They repeatedly tried to get an explanation from the company but could not gain access. The couple then realized the company’s decision to reject their application came soon after the property owner learned about their mental disabilities.

Episode notes:

‘Tokyo couple denied housing after disabilities revealed’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/10/30/tokyo-couple-denied-housing-after-disabilities-revealed/


Tokyo couple denied housing after disabilities revealed

A 43-year-old care worker at a facility for people with disabilities in Higashiomi, Shiga Prefecture, has been arrested for indecent assault and is suspected of abusing 15 residents in total, the facility’s operator said Thursday. According to the social welfare corporation Gamounokai, which runs the Akane support facility, the worker admitted to acts including pinching, headbutting, and hiding stuffed toys from residents between April last year and August this year, saying he “couldn’t control [his] irritation.” All additional victims were men with disabilities, though no injuries were reported. The corporation has apologized to residents and families, and pledged measures such as stricter staff supervision and the installation of monitoring cameras to prevent further abuse.

Episode notes:

‘Care Facility Worker Suspected of Abusing Disabled Residents, 15 Possible Victims, Says He “Couldn’t Control His Frustration” ’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/01/care-facility-worker-suspected-of-abusing-disabled-residents-fr15-possible-victims-says-he-couldnt-control-his-frustration/


Care Facility Worker Suspected of Abusing Disabled Residents, 15 Possible Victims, Says He “Couldn’t Control His Frustration”

This interview first aired on Thursday the 6th of November, 2025 on ONE FM 98.5 Shepparton.

One FM breakfast announcer Plemo interviews Athena Papadatos who is an advocate for people with a disability and is looking to run a monthly self help group at the South Shepparton Community House.

To find out more and to get involved head to https://southcom.org.au/
You can call - (03) 5821 6172.
or email - info@southcom.org.au 

Listen to One FM Breakfast with Plemo: Monday - Friday, 6am - 9am.

Contact the station on admin@fm985.com.au or (+613) 58313131

The ONE FM 98.5 Community Radio podcast page operates under the license of Goulburn Valley Community Radio Inc. (ONE FM) Number 1385226/1.

PRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association Limited  and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) that covers Simulcasting and Online content including podcasts with musical content, that we pay every year. This licence number is 1385226/1

Athena Papadatos on disability support issues and new self help support group

I am not a climate change denier, nor am I indifferent to environmental issues, but these types of cups are really difficult for me to use as a person with disabilities. The Golden Arches may not be the ‘environmental issue’ hill I wish to die on, but its going to be really difficult for me to go to McDonalds in Japan after November 19th.

The fast-food chain said it will begin introducing a new lid design that eliminates the need for straws, starting Nov. 19, replacing the paper straws introduced in 2022.

Episode notes:

‘McDonald's Japan to stop using paper straws from November 19th 2025’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/04/mcdonalds-japan-to-stop-using-paper-straws-from-november-19th-2025/


McDonald’s Japan to stop using paper straws

A welfare-related company based in Osaka City is suspected of having improperly received tens of billions of yen in disability employment support subsidies (payments) since fiscal 2024, city officials revealed on November 5. The company allegedly exploited a system that increases subsidy amounts based on the number of disabled workers who find employment in regular companies. Osaka City has launched an audit under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act and is considering demanding repayment.

Episode notes:

‘Osaka Firm Suspected of Tens of Billions in Improper Disability Work Subsidies’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/07/osaka-firm-suspected-of-tens-of-billions-in-improper-disability-work-subsidies/


Osaka Firm Suspected of Tens of Billions in Improper Disability Work Subsidies

Rap & Hyperpop
🏳️‍⚧️ + neurodivergent = 😈

DIY von Beat & Bars bis Mix & Master
Just getting started – always down for feedback 💌
Booking & Collabs? Slide in my DMs 📩

Choose to be Curious is a show all about curiosity. We talk about research and theory, but mostly it's conversations about how curiosity shows up in work and life.  

Now syndicated and available via Pacifica RadioNetwork.

One FM Community Radio Station airs a range of programs, including  "Ethnic Programs"  (in languages other than English), specialist interview programs such as "Shepplife" and health programs (So Much More)which are podcast here.  We also podcast a range of local sports programs as part of our Super Saturday Sports Show.  
Goulburn Valley Community Radio Station  Inc. (One FM 98.5) podcast site operates under APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Rights Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) and ACMA (Australian Communications Media Authority) Licence Number  1385226/1.

The programs are recorded and first aired at One FM 98.5 Community Radio Station in Shepparton (Victoria, AUSTRALIA), and produced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation or the National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters' Council.

All intro and outro music for So Much More podcasts are taken from Beneplacito Boogaloo composed by Terry Barbossa and Matt Holland.

All Bad Things is a weekly podcast about accidents, tragedies, natural disasters and other anxiety fuel. Hosted by wry GenXer David and bleeding-heart Millenial Rachel. Trigger warning for everything possible.

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.

New tracks tagged #Disability