Notes from the Obstacle Course Dr. Michael Peckitt Since the 1990s, JR East, the division of Japan Railway Co that serves Tokyo and the Kanto region has had ‘priority seats’ seats reserved for the elderly, pregnant, disabled and children. Use of mobile phones is forbidden in this area, at least Read more…
Recently, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe announced that he’s planning to increase the number of special nursing homes for the elderly. This is a part of a social security reform that will try to address the problems of falling birthrates and aging population in Japan, as well as prevent Read more…
As mentioned in a previous post, Japan has its own form of sign language that draws from Chinese characters and Japanese culture. The Japanese Imperial Family has close ties to sign language as Princes Kiko is a strong advocate. Recently, Princess Kako – the 20-year-old second daughter of Prince Akishino Read more…
May 21, 2015 – Born with cerebral palsy and unable to walk, Kenichi Okubo of Hyogo, Japan, was denied boarding his flight by Jetstar and forced to spend the night in the airport. He and his lawyer say he is the victim of discrimination based on his disability and his Read more…
As mentioned in a previous post, recently two women with hearing impairments won seats in the recent municipal elections. The city first considered using a sign-language interpreter but has opted for implementing a new system instead. Famous for being a club hostess who communicated only with note, Rie Saito won Read more…
Thanks to extended support services and government quotas for disabled workers, employment for the disabled in Japan is on the rise. In 2013, the number of disabled people finding work through employment services went up by an astounding 9,562 cases over 2012 data to a total of 77,883 cases. This Read more…