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“Share Your Light” to be Paralympic Torch Relay Concept
New App to Help People with Disabilities Navigate Tokyo
Navigating the streets of Tokyo is no easy task, regardless of ability. However, having a disability adds an extra layer of difficulty..
Innovation and Isolation at Tokyo’s Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition
By Mark Bookman
On Thursday, October 11th, 2018 I had the opportunity to visit the 45th International Home Care and Rehabilitation..
Increasing Number of Accessible Hotel Rooms in Japan
With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics just two years away, Tokyo is scrambling to have enough hotel rooms for all the visitors..
Accessible Airport Bus in Japan
By Toshiko Kudo
For the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Paralympic Games, the accessibility of public transport in Japan is improving. An airport bus..
Tokyo now has wheelchair accessible routes in Google Maps!
While Bmaps and WheeLog! offer great user curated accessibility information, Google Maps is by far the best way to find your way around..
Citizen of the Year Award
It is a great pleasure to announce that Accessible Japan founder, Josh Grisdale, was one of 3 winners of the Citizen of the Year award..
“Enjoy My Japan” Press Conference
Accessible Japan was recently invited to attend the press conference for the unavailing of the “Enjoy my Japan” global campaign put out..
Planned Reconstruction of Nagoya Castle Lacks Elevator
Traditionally Japanese castles are made of wood, which made them vulnerable to fires and other natural disasters. As such, the many..
Increasing the Number of Accessible Taxis in Tokyo
Taxis are a common appearance throughout Japan and are incredibly easy to find. In addition to hailing them on the street, taxis also..
Finding a Wonderful World a year after the Sagamihara Massacre
Last year, Satoshi Uematsu broke into his former workplace – a care facility for people with severe disabilities – and proceeded to..
Braille on Japanese Delivery Notice
We have mentioned it on the website before, and Cristina Hartmann touched on it in her fantastic blog post, Japan has worked hard to..
Disability in Japan – A Year in Review: 2016
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
It is now December again in Japan, so it nearing the time for Kentucky Fried Chicken..
Japanese Disability Activist elected to United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Jun Ishikawa, an international relations professor at the University of Shizuoka, was elected to the United Nation’s Committee on the..
The Japanese Diet’s Disability Access Woes
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
When it comes to public amenities, whether it be public transport, city ward offices,..
Okayama man: “I am the reincarnation of Hitler, disabled people should go and die”
Dr. Michael Peckitt
A man from Nagi city in Okayama Prefecture was arrested on November 11th on suspicion of disrupting business..
ADA Pioneer Senator Tomas Harkin visits U.S. Embassy in Tokyo
By Mizuki Hsu
of Moon Rider 7
My name is Mizuki Hsu. I am a Japanese disability advocate in a wheelchair. From October 2015, I worked..
Murder and the Media in Japan: Better to be Mad than Bad
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
Here in Japan I like to read as many newspapers as I can and watch as much news TV..
Tech Helps Visually Impaired Moviegoers in Japan
Tech is playing a part in helping visually impaired moviegoers in Japan enjoy the experience of going to the theater.
Since the new laws..
Uematsu Rearrested
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
On Monday 15th August 2016, Satoshi Uematsu was rearrested by the Kanagawa police. ..
Blind Man Falls to Death at Tokyo Subway Station
On August 15th, a blind man fell to his death at a Tokyo subway station without a guard rail. 55 year old Naoto Shinada was walking with..
Right to Communication for Deaf in Japan
Japan is generally a fairly inclusive place for people from around the world speaking many different languages. While many of the top..
Disability Hate Crime & The Sagamihara Victims
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
It is has been nearly two weeks since Satoshi Uematsu killed 19 disabled people and..
After the Sagamihara Attack
Photo via Chunichi Newspaper
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
As I write this it is now five days since the Sagamihara..
On the Sagamihara Attack
Photo via Kyodo News
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
Since early morning on Tuesday 26th July, I have had many tweets,..
Awareness of Buggy Wheelchairs Promoted by Mothers
Mothers that have children living with a disability or ailment are using a brand-new method to get around with their children that makes..
Extra Support for Developmentally Disabled Individuals in Japan
People with autism and learning disabilities throughout Japan are receiving support from new laws that can illuminate various social..
Eliminating Social Barriers for People with Disabilities in Japan
Japan recently enacted a new law banning discrimination of people with disabilities in the workplace. The attention this new law is..
Agricultural Welfare Workshops for Disabled
With new government regulations formed to support welfare workshops specifically for disabled people, we could see agriculture across..
Disabled applicants across Japan still face difficulty in the job market
Regardless of their qualifications or level of abilities it’s important to note that disabled individuals across Japan have long..
Offering Seniors Opportunities to Work
Silver Human Resources Center is interested in making a transition into offering seniors opportunities for work. Rather than simply..
Shocked but not Surprised
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
There are times when, as a disabled person, I have to remind myself to be shocked by..
Reduce “Burden” of Disabled Children says School Board Member
The suggestion by a newly appointed Ibaraki education board member has elicited online outrage. According to the member, the..
Elderly in Japan Keep Fit with Karaoke
Recently a new program was launched that aims to reduce the need of nursing care amongst the elderly in Japan. The program was created..
Japanese Government to Urge Nursing Care Robot Development
The Japanese government is launching a new program aimed at reducing the burden on caregivers and enabling elderly people to live more..
First Master’s Thesis in Japanese Sign Language
Born without the ability to hear, 36-year old Shinya Kawabata is the first person in Japan to complete his master’s degree thesis in sign..
News: No Dogs Allowed
On October 3, the Hankyu department store in Osaka hosted an event promoting the awareness of service dogs. One of the attendees, a..
Selling Male Nursing Care… with Handsome Guys
A book, featuring handsome young men working at nursing care facilities, was published in September this year. The book, titled..
Japanese Nursing Care Measures to Put Economy First
Recently, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced he’s planning to introduce new policies related to social security, with the aim to improve..
Priority Seats
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
Since the 1990s, JR East, the division of Japan Railway Co that serves Tokyo and the..
Number of Special Nursing Homes for the Elderly to be Increased
Recently, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe announced that he’s planning to increase the number of special nursing homes for the..
Japanese Princess Kako Addresses Audience in Sign Language
As mentioned in a previous post, Japan has its own form of sign language that draws from Chinese characters and Japanese culture. The..
Japanese Disabled Man Denied Boarding of Jetstar Flight, Spends Night in Airport
May 21, 2015 – Born with cerebral palsy and unable to walk, Kenichi Okubo of Hyogo, Japan, was denied boarding his flight by Jetstar and..
New System for Deaf Japanese Politician
As mentioned in a previous post, recently two women with hearing impairments won seats in the recent municipal elections. The city first..
Employment for the Disabled on the Rise in Japan
Thanks to extended support services and government quotas for disabled workers, employment for the disabled in Japan is on the rise. In..
Integration of Japanese Welfare Systems
Japan has a great welfare system. Often neighbouring countries come to study the Japanese system so they can implement something similar..
Japan Post, Apple, and IBM Create a Seniors Initiative
Disclaimer: My dad worked at IBM, I am an Apple fan-boy, and my full-time job is at a seniors facility – so this news hits close to home..
Two Women with Hearing-Impairments win Elections
Elections in Japan seem to be never ending. Being a foreigner, I of course cannot vote and usually just ignore the whole thing. However,..