Disability News Japan

A Tokyo woman who worked as a support staff member at a workshop for people with disabilities said she witnessed repeated physical and verbal abuse of service users by colleagues shortly after starting her job in 2019. The alleged misconduct extended beyond frontline staff to a male executive of the operating social welfare corporation, who she said repeatedly grabbed the groins of male users with intellectual disabilities when they did not comply with instructions. The woman, identified by a pseudonym as Yoshimi Kurita, said she reported the abuse multiple times to the corporation's executives, but they “turned a blind eye.” Episode notes: ‘Tokyo Disability Facility Worker Says She Was Fired After Reporting Abuse': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/23/tokyo-disability-facility-worker-says-she-was-fired-after-reporting-abuse/

Japan's health ministry ordered a clinic in Tokyo to improve its operations on Friday 20th February over its violations of the law on safety in regenerative medicine. An on-site inspection of Ginza Phoenix Clinic found violations, including administrations of cultured cells using stem cells and dendritic cells by five doctors not listed in 10 regenerative medicine plans submitted by its director, Hisashi Nagai, to the ministry. Medical institutions face penalties for false or missing entries in mandatory regenerative medicine treatment plans. Episode notes: ‘Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Tokyo Gets Biz Improvement Order': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/21/regenerative-medicine-clinic-in-tokyo-gets-biz-improvement-order/

Two male staff members in their 20s have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old male resident at a facility for people with disabilities in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, including kicking him in the face. Both suspects have admitted to the allegations, and police are investigating the circumstances and motives that led to the incident. Episode notes: ‘Two Arrested Over Alleged Assault of 17-Year-Old at Aichi Disability Home': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/21/two-arrested-over-alleged-assault-of-17-year-old-at-aichi-disability-home/

The Fukushi Shimbun reported on February 19th that the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) said Jan. 30 it had submitted a statement to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry calling for fair disability pension certifications, criticizing a ministry probe that found no improper handling in cases where initial certification reports were rewritten, discarded and reassessed. Regarding the ministry's Jan. 16 report, the JFBA said it was “clearly unreasonable” to describe the rewriting of certification reports as merely correcting deficiencies. Episode notes: ‘Japan Federation of Bar Associations calls Welfare Ministry's Disability Pension report “clearly unreasonable” ‘: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/20/japan-federation-of-bar-associations-calls-welfare-ministrys-disability-pension-report-clearly-unreasonable/

Japan's Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday 18th February that a provision in the now-scrapped security services law that disqualified adult guardianship system users from employment violated the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of occupation and equality under law. The ruling, backed by 10 of the 15 justices, marked the 14th time since the end of World War II that the Supreme Court has declared a law or ordinance unconstitutional, and the first time since the Grand Bench ruling in July 2024 on the now-defunct eugenic protection law.  Episode notes: ‘Japan Top Court Rules Work-Bar Provision Unconstitutional': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/19/japan-top-court-rules-work-bar-provision-unconstitutional/

Japan's Children and Families Agency has begun considering the creation of small-scale residential facilities tentatively called “Children's Homes” for children with disabilities, aiming to enable them to live closer to the communities where they were born and raised. A draft proposal presented at an expert panel on the future of institutional care highlighted concerns that many children are currently placed in large, distant facilities, limiting contact with their families. The envisioned Children's Homes would provide a more home-like, small-group environment while maintaining family ties, with trained staff assigned to support children with severe behavioural disorders or medical care needs and access to external services such as visiting nursing care, as the government looks ahead to possible legal revisions. Episode notes: ‘Japan's Children and Families Agency Considers “Children's Homes”': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/18/japans-children-and-families-agency-considers-childrens-homes/

A lawsuit in which a 36-year-old man from Kanagawa Prefecture sought damages from his mother, claiming that abuse he suffered as a child caused him to develop mental disorders that left him unable to work, resulted in the Yokohama District Court recognizing the causal link between the abuse and his inability to maintain employment and ordering the mother to pay approximately ¥35.45 million in compensation, it was learned on the 16th. The ruling was dated January 27th. Episode notes: ‘Mother Ordered to Pay 30 Million Yen in Abuse Damages Causing Mental Disorders': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/17/mother-ordered-to-pay-¥30m-in-abuse-damages-causing-mental-disorders/

The guidelines on harassment by customers make clear that employers must take care not to interpret requests for reasonable accommodation from persons with disabilities as customer harassment. They note that discriminatory treatment is prohibited and the provision of reasonable accommodation is mandatory under the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and state that appropriate responses are required through “constructive dialogue” to build mutual understanding. Episode notes: ‘Japan's new guidelines warn employers not to mislabel disability requests as harassment': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/15/japans-new-guidelines-warn-employers-not-to-mislabel-disability-requests-as-harassment/

An advisory panel to Japan's health minister decided Friday to allow public health insurance coverage for a gene therapy for muscular dystrophy beginning Feb. 20 and set the drug's official price at about 304.97 million yen.  Elevidys, a one-time treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory patients aged 3-7, will become the country's most expensive drug. Episode notes: ‘Japan Approves Muscular Dystrophy Drug Price of 300 M. Yen': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/14/japan-approves-muscular-dystrophy-drug-price-of-300-m-yen/

A Tokyo man in his 50s who was forced to quit his IT job after developing Parkinson's disease faced difficulties obtaining Japan's disability pension due to the system's requirement to prove the date of first medical consultation, highlighting structural hurdles for applicants. Kenichi Sato (pseudonym), 54, was told he needed to verify an initial clinic visit from about 20 years ago, but records had been discarded under the legal five-year retention rule for medical charts. Episode notes: ‘Japan's ‘first visit date' rule shows gaps in disability pension system': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/13/japans-first-visit-date-rule-shows-gaps-in-disability-pension-system/

The online survey was conducted by the Nippon Foundation last October targeting 2,500 family members of people with disabilities. Overall, 36.2% said they were “very anxious” about the future, 27.6% “anxious,” and 21.7% “slightly anxious.” Episode notes: ‘85% of Families of People with Disabilities in Japan Anxious About Future “After Parents Are Gone”': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/12/85-of-families-of-people-with-disabilities-in-japan-anxious-about-future-after-parents-are-gone/

While assigned to the center, a 27-year-old male employee from the Toyokawa Public Health Center issued certificates without obtaining the required approvals, recorded false review results in documents, and altered classifications to more severe levels. In interviews conducted by the prefecture, he explained to the effect that “administrative processing fell behind, and I altered the classifications to levels that applicants would accept.” Episode notes: ‘Aichi Reports 1,034 Irregularities in Disability Certificate Issuance': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/11/aichi-reports-1034-irregularities-in-disability-certificate-issuance/ ‘95 errors made in linking My Number and disability certificate in Aichi Prefecture': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2024/03/27/95-errors-made-in-linking-my-number-and-disability-certificate-in-aichi-prefecture/

Police in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, plan to arrest a man in his 30s who formerly headed a disability group home on suspicion of assault resulting in death after a 19-year-old male resident with an intellectual disability died under suspicious circumstances in 2025. Investigators believe the former representative assaulted the resident, leading to his death, and are also examining possible liability among staff members who allegedly failed to report the abuse despite being aware of it. Police suspect the victim may have been subjected to routine violence and are continuing the investigation. Episode notes: ‘Chiba disability group home resident dies; former representative to be arrested': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/09/chiba-disability-group-home-resident-dies-former-representative-to-be-arrested/ ‘Chiba Group Home Representative Arrested for Killing 19-Year-Old Man': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/10/chiba-group-home-representative-arrested-for-killing-19-year-old-man/

As of the evening of February 9th, according to Jiji Press, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a historic landslide victory in Sunday's House of Representatives election, winning 316 seats to occupy a standalone two-thirds majority of the 465 seats in the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament. Episode notes: 'Japan Ruling LDP Claims Historic Win in Lower House Election': https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2026020901581

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday's general election, delivering a strong mandate for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and enhancing her ability to advance key policies. Holding more than 310 seats in the 465-member chamber allows the party to pursue constitutional revision and pass legislation even if rejected by the House of Councillors, where the ruling bloc lacks a majority. Meanwhile, the minor populist party Sanseito expanded its lower house presence to 13 seats from two, though its leader voiced dissatisfaction with the outcome, while Team Mirai won its first seat, according to early returns. Episode notes: ‘LDP Wins Two-Thirds Majority, Sanseito and Team Mirai Gain Seats': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/09/ldp-wins-two-thirds-majority-sanseito-and-team-mirai-gain-seats/

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to win a majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday's election, according to Kyodo News exit polls. Episode notes: ‘Japan's ruling LDP certain to win lower house majority: exit polls' https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/70097

With less than a month to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games open on March 6, Japan is stepping up final preparations for a campaign that will feature broad representation across the six-sport program, including the return of its para ice hockey team. Episode notes: ‘Less than a month until the Paralympics, Japan finalizes Milan–Cortina preparations': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/07/less-than-a-month-until-the-paralympics-japan-finalizes-milan-cortina-preparations/

The Japan Innovation Party and Sanseito have called for setting a cap on the percentage of foreign nationals in Japan's population in their promises to voters for Sunday's House of Representatives election. By contrast, the Liberal Democratic Party, the JIP's ally in the ruling camp, makes no mention of such a cap in its election platform. The Centrist Reform Alliance, a new opposition party created by Lower House lawmakers from the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, considers such a cap a premature measure. Episode Notes: ‘JIP, Sanseito Call for Cap on Foreigners in Japan': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/04/jip-sanseito-call-for-cap-on-foreigners-in-japan/

The Tokyo High Court will decide on March 4 whether to back a lower court's order for the Unification Church to disband itself, informed sources said Wednesday. If the high court upholds the dissolution order, it will take effect regardless of whether the religious group appeals to the Supreme Court, and liquidation procedures will begin. The group could continue its activities as a voluntary organization, but it would lose its status as a religious corporation and would no longer be eligible for tax benefits. Episode notes: ‘Tokyo Court to Rule on Unification Church Dissolution Order on March 4': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/05/tokyo-court-to-rule-on-unification-church-dissolution-order-on-march-4/

The Shukan Bunshun published: ”As early as Friday, January 30, two days before the broadcast, Takaichi's camp had already approached Takayuki Kobayashi, the Chairperson of the Policy Research Council, to act as a last-minute substitute.” Episode notes: ‘Takaichi Cancels TV Debate due to Hand Injury': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/01/takaichi-cancels-tv-debate-due-to-hand-injury/ Shukan B Bunshun article: https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/85876?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=onlinePublished

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi canceled her appearance in a television debate program Sunday morning as she injured her hand during the campaign trail for the Feb. 8 general election. Takaichi posted on X, formerly Twitter, that she injured her hand during her campaign activities in the past couple of days and has been receiving treatment. “When I shook hands with a person who supports me enthusiastically, my hand was pulled hard and I hurt it,” she said, adding, “I have chronic rheumatoid arthritis, so my hand became swollen.” ‘Takaichi Cancels TV Debate due to Hand Injury': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/01/takaichi-cancels-tv-debate-due-to-hand-injury/

While the court ordered the payment of ¥800,000 in consolation money, it did not recognize the claim for wages for the period during which the man was unable to work after his dismissal. The plaintiff's attorney, Motoya Tsuchida, said, “The ruling does, in a sense, squarely acknowledge disability discrimination,” while indicating that they plan to appeal. Episode notes: ‘Yokohama Court Rules Disability-Based Dismissal After ‘Outing' Illegal': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/01/yokohama-court-rules-disability-based-dismissal-after-outing-illegal/

Supporters of Sanseito took to the streets of Kobe on Saturday 31st January 2026 to promote the party's platform ahead of the upcoming election; as did the ‘Social Democratic Party'. Episode notes: ‘Sanseito supporters campaign in Kobe ahead of election': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/01/sanseito-supporters-campaign-in-kobe-ahead-of-election/

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on January 19th that in fiscal 2024 there were 6,258 reports and notifications received by prefectures and designated cities concerning alleged abuse of persons with disabilities by staff at psychiatric hospitals. Of these, 260 cases were officially recognized as abuse. Under the revised Mental Health and Welfare Act enacted in 2022, reporting abuse of persons with disabilities by psychiatric hospital staff to prefectures and designated cities was made mandatory. This is the first time such data have been compiled. The ministry stated, “We have confirmed that the reporting system is being recognized. We will continue to closely monitor future trends.” Episode notes: ‘Japan Compiles Statistics on Abuse by Psychiatric Hospital Workers for First Time': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/29/japan-compiles-statistics-on-abuse-by-psychiatric-hospital-workers-for-first-time/

More than half of Japanese companies say they will struggle to meet the government's higher disability employment quota, highlighting persistent challenges in workplace readiness and internal awareness. A survey by disability employment support firm Persol Diversity found that 52.6% of companies view achieving the revised statutory quota of 2.7%, which takes effect in July, as difficult, underscoring gaps in organizational understanding and the need for improved accommodations and support systems for workers with disabilities. Episode notes: ‘52.6% of Companies in Japan Find Disability Employment Targets “Difficult” to Achieve': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/27/52-6-of-companies-in-japan-find-disability-employment-targets-difficult-to-achieve/

Gunma Prefecture issued guidance to a social welfare corporation operating a disability support facility following an investigation into an accident in which a male high school student (17 at the time), who attended a disability support facility in Ōra Town, Gunma Prefecture, fell ill and died during a sea swimming outing. The prefecture cited a “delay in transporting him to a hospital” as a contributing factor and pointed out that countermeasures against aspiration of seawater had not been discussed, stating that “risk management was not in place.” Episode notes: ‘Gunma Issues Guidance After Death of Disabled 17-Year-Old on Outing, Cites “delay in transporting to hospital” ': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/26/gunma-issues-guidance-after-death-of-disabled-17-year-old-on-outing-cites-delay-in-transporting-to-hospital/

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi mentioned the government's responsibility in her meeting with victims of forced sterilization conducted under the country's now-defunct eugenics law. 
 "The government's responsibility is extremely grave," Takaichi said when she met with the victims at the prime minister's office on Wednesday. A law on compensation to forced sterilization victims took effect on Jan. 17 last year following a Supreme Court ruling that recognized the state's liability. While victims are estimated to include around 25,000 individuals subjected to sterilization procedures and about 59,000 who had abortions, the number of cases certified under the law remained at just 1,560 as of the end of November last year. Episode notes: ‘Takaichi Meets with Forced Sterilization Victims': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/23/takaichi-meets-with-forced-sterilization-victims/

The man who killed former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was given an indefinite prison term on Wednesday for the fatal shooting with a homemade gun in the western Japan city of Nara in 2022. Referring to Yamagami's background, the ruling said, "he became unable to find a haven within the family" after his mother became a follower of the controversial religious group known as the Unification Church.Presiding Judge Shinichi Tanaka suggested that the motive claimed was irrational, stating, “It cannot be said that his background had a great impact.” During the trial, the defence argued that, given Yamagami's troubled background related to the controversial religious group Unification Church, with which Abe allegedly had ties, his sentence should be no more than 20 years. Defendant Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, plans to decide next week whether to appeal his sentence. Yoshihide Sakurai, a specially appointed professor of sociology of religion at Hokkaido University, who attended the trial as a defense witness, said after meeting with Yamagami on Thursday, that Yamagami appeared to have expected a long prison sentence and did not express dissatisfaction with the verdict. Episode notes: ‘Judge in Ex-PM Abe Trial Says of Killer: “It cannot be said that his background had a great impact”': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/21/judge-in-ex-pm-abe-trial-says-of-killer-it-cannot-be-said-that-his-background-had-a-great-impact/

Tetsuya Yamagami, who fatally shot former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday 21st January, three and a half years after the killing Abe in Nara. The Nara District Court's ruling was consistent with the sentence sought by prosecutors in connection with the July 2022 shooting, in which Yamagami used a homemade firearm. Episode notes: ‘Life Sentence for Man Who Shot Former PM Shinzo Abe': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/21/life-sentence-for-man-who-shot-former-pm-shinzo-abe/

On December 23 last year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government submitted a request to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Children and Families Agency regarding the June 2026 interim revision of disability welfare service fees, calling on them not to implement a nationwide reduction in basic compensation for newly established providers of certain services. Episode notes: ‘Tokyo Opposes Cuts to Disability Welfare Fees': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/17/tokyo-opposes-cuts-to-disability-welfare-fees/

The South China Morning Post reported on January 13th that Grok-generated deepfake images of Japan's Princess Kako, the niece of Emperor Naruhito, in a bikini circulating online have renewed scrutiny on Elon Musk's X chatbot. Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad, while working twice a week since April 2024 at the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, which she joined as a part-time employee in 2021. Episode notes: ‘Grok-generated Deepfake Images of Sign Language Literate Imperial Princess Kako Circulate Online': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/18/grok-generated-deepfake-images-of-sign-language-literate-imperial-princess-kako-circulate-online/

On January 13th, the Yokohama District Court held the sentencing hearing for a 31-year-old male defendant, a resident of Yamato City, charged with violating the Cannabis Control Law and other offenses for cultivating cannabis plants at the support facility for children with disabilities in Fujisawa City where he was employed. Episode notes: ‘Yokohama Court Hands Suspended Sentence to Man Over Growing Cannabis at Facility for Disabled Children':
 https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/14/yokohama-court-hands-suspended-sentence-to-man-over-growing-cannabis-at-facility-for-disabled-children/

Barrier Free Japan went to see 'Black Box Diaries' directed by Shiori Ito on January 13th, which had its theatrical release in cinemas in Japan a few months ago. I appreciate that it's been divisive in some communities over source protection issues and maybe because it's an emotional thing to watch, but I recommend it & consider it necessary to watch. I've seen in it different forms a couple of times as it started life out as a BBC ‘Storyville' documentary. Episode notes: Black Box Diaries (UK trailer): https://youtu.be/zeHfN61S6Gg?si=c0NU-Mz8_AtMRdPn

No news on ‘Coming of Age Day!' Although there is a report that ‘Sign Language Link' will be provided by the Japan Foundation Telephone Relay Service, a general incorporated foundation based in Tokyo. When police officers leave a kōban or a residential police post, they put up a notice indicating their absence. By scanning the QR code on this notice with a smartphone or other device, users are connected to a video call, initiating a three-way conversation between the user, a sign language interpreter, and an officer at the police station. Episode notes: ‘Gifu Prefectural Police Introduce ‘Sign Language Link', Available Even if No Police Present': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/11/gifu-prefectural-police-introduce-sign-language-link-available-even-if-no-police-present/

It was learned on January 6th that the medical corporation foundation “Aoyama-kai” has decided to end two disability consultation support services under contract with the city at the end of March and has notified the city. The relationship of trust with the city was damaged by Mayor Kaichi Deguchi's social media posts during last year's mayoral election and the subsequent response, and the foundation has decided that continuing the services any longer is difficult. Episode notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/08/medical-foundation-ends-disability-support-services-in-miura-city-after-mayors-social-media-remarks/

A Shindo 5, Magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurred at 10:18AM on Tuesday 6th January 2026, the epicentre was Shimane prefecture and registered in most of western Japan, including here in Kobe. And yes, could ‘religious folk' please stop approaching and grabbing Barrier Free Japan's arm? Episode notes: 'Powerful Earthquakes Strike Western Japan': https://jen.jiji.com/jc/eng?g=eco&k=2026010600562

People with disabilities in Hyogo Prefecture will hold an emergency rally in Kobe on January 24th to protest violence at residential care facilities and to call for the early realization of deinstitutionalization. The gathering was prompted by reports that a resident with intellectual and physical disabilities died after being assaulted by staff at a facility in Sanda City. Organized by the Independent Living Center ‘Ring Ring' and co-hosted by ‘Remember 7.26 Kobe Action', the event will feature speakers from ‘Hyogo People First' and will focus on disability rights and the need for community-based living. Episode notes: 'Hyogo Disability Rights Groups to Rally in Kobe Following Facility Violence Reports': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/01/hyogo-disability-rights-groups-to-rally-in-kobe-following-facility-violence-reports/

Speaking at an award ceremony recognizing contributions to the promotion of barrier-free and universal design initiatives on December 24th 2025, Prime Minister Takaichi said: “The society we aim for is an "inclusive society" in which all people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, respect each other's human rights and dignity, support each other, and are able to enjoy vibrant lives.” Episode notes: ‘At Awards Ceremony Recognizing Barrier Free Initiatives, PM Takaichi Says She Aims for an “inclusive society” ': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/03/at-awards-ceremony-recognizing-barrier-free-initiatives-pm-takaichi-says-she-aims-for-an-inclusive-society/

Akemashite Omedetou, Happy New Year from Japan! Nagasaki Prefecture reported a record 3,961 people with disabilities employed at private companies as of June 1, 2025, up 125 from the previous year, according to figures released by the Nagasaki Labour Bureau on Dec. 19, so we begin 2026 with good news about disability in Japan. Episode notes: ‘Nagasaki Sees Record-High Employment of People with Disabilities': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/30/nagasaki-sees-record-high-employment-of-people-with-disabilities/

It was revealed on December 28th through interviews with stakeholders that the Japan Pension Service, which handles the administration of national disability pensions, has been secretly discarding evaluation records and requesting new rulings from different doctors whenever staff members deemed the original doctor's decision on benefit eligibility to be "problematic." The Pension Service admitted to this practice during interviews, stating they are "currently investigating the facts, including the number of cases involved.” Episode notes: ‘Japan Pension Service Officials Discarded Doctors' Disability Assessments': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/29/japan-pension-service-officials-discarded-doctors-disability-assessments/

Cases of abuse against people with disabilities in Japan reached a record high of 3,770 in fiscal 2024, the welfare ministry said Tuesday 23rd December, citing an increase in consultations and reports to local governments. The total, confirmed by prefectural and municipal authorities, rose by 293 from the previous year, the ministry said. Episode notes: ‘Disability Abuse Cases Hit Record High in Japan in FY 2024': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/26/disability-abuse-cases-hit-record-in-japan-in-fy-2024/

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering adding Japanese language proficiency as a requirement for permanent residency for foreigners, sources familiar with the matter said Friday. To obtain the status, foreigners will also be mandated to take a program aimed at helping them smoothly integrate into local communities, the sources said. The envisaged new requirements will be included in a draft package of proposals on policy for foreign nationals, to be compiled next month for submission to the government. Episode notes: ‘Japanese Proficiency Eyed as Permanent Residency Requirements': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/23/japanese-proficiency-eyed-as-permanent-residency-requirement/

Nearly two years after Japan's revised Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities made the provision of “reasonable accommodation” mandatory for private businesses, progress remains uneven. While some companies in Okayama Prefecture have introduced measures such as sign-language captions, communication apps, Braille menus, and barrier-free design, people with disabilities say daily experiences have changed little. Episode notes: ‘Two Years After Japan's Anti-Disability Discrimination Law Revision, Mixed Progress on “Reasonable Accommodation”': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/23/two-years-after-japans-anti-disability-discrimination-law-revision-mixed-progress-on-reasonable-accommodation/

Well, that's more or less a wrap for 2025! There was a story on December 19th that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced the results of a survey showing that, as of June 1, the number of people with disabilities working at private companies stood at 704,610, a 4.0% increase from the previous year. This marks the 22nd consecutive year in which the figure has reached a record high. However, only 46.0% of companies achieved the legally mandated employment ratio of 2.5%, unchanged from the previous year. I might make a few podcast episodes should something momentous happen, other than that, have a Barrier Free Solstice, New Year and Disability News Japan will return in 2026! Episode notes: ‘700,000 People with Disabilities in Japan Employed by Companies; Only 46% Meet Employment Quota': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/20/700000-people-with-disabilities-in-japan-employed-by-companies-only-46-meet-employment-quota/

It has been learned that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) is making arrangements to set an upper limit on the number of “retained workers” used to calculate support bonuses. This move comes in response to allegations that three “Type A Support Centers for Continuous Employment” in Osaka City received excessive payments. The Ministry revealed this plan on the 16th during a meeting to discuss revisions to the compensation system for disability welfare services. Episode notes: ‘Japan Govt to set cap on number of ‘retained workers' used to calculate disability employment subsidies following excessive payments': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/19/japan-govt-to-set-cap-on-number-of-retained-workers-used-to-calculate-disability-employment-subsidies-following-excessive-payments/

Three years have now passed since the disability studies scholar and Japanologist Mark Bookman (1991 – 2022) died on December 16th 2022. At the time of his death, Mark was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Tokyo College and about to take up a position at Ritsumeikan University. Episode notes: ‘ ‘Mark - A Call to Action' (documentary) dir. Ron Small ': https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Call-Action-Ron-Small/dp/B0DFV5ZCD4 ‘Disability Publics: Making Accessibility in Modern Japan': https://www.amazon.co.jp/Disability-Publics-Making-Accessibility-Modern/dp/0198979738#immersive-view_1766021047271

In April two years ago, in Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture, a bullet fired by a hunter engaged in a bear extermination operation struck another man in the leg, causing serious injuries that resulted in permanent aftereffects. The injured man has filed a lawsuit against the town, seeking approximately 30 million yen in damages. Episode notes: ‘Man Disabled in Bear Cull Shooting; Town Seeks Damages from Hunter': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/15/man-disabled-in-bear-cull-shooting-town-seeks-damages-from-hunter/

Almost half of Japanese nationals feel familiar with loneliness and isolation, a government survey showed Friday. According to the Cabinet Office's first public opinion survey on the issue, 48.4% of respondents answered they feel “familiar” or “rather familiar” with such feelings, while 49.6% chose “not familiar” or “rather do not feel it.” The remaining 2.0% did not answer. Episode notes: ‘Nearly Half of Japanese Familiar with Loneliness, Isolation': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/13/nearly-half-of-japanese-familiar-with-loneliness-isolation/

Around 11:44 a.m. on Friday December 12th, a quake with an estimated magnitude of 6.7 occurred off Aomori, logging 4 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in 38 municipalities in five prefectures, including Hokkaido's Hakodate, Aomori's Hachinohe and Iwate's Morioka. The intensity was the sixth-highest level on the 10-point scale. All the advisories were lifted at 2:05 p.m. after minor tsunami waves were observed in some municipalities, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Aikawa Shinseien, a remote facility in Akita Prefecture housing nearly 90 intellectually disabled people sent from Tokyo, illustrates the long-standing practice of placing disabled residents far from their home communities due to Tokyo's high land prices and neighborhood resistance to disability facilities, with some locals claiming such facilities would “damage the image” of the area. Many residents have lived there for decades, seldom see their families, and feel trapped, one 65-year-old man, who has lived there since the facility opened, says poignantly, “I don't want to end my life here.” As parents age and die and “out-of-Tokyo facilities” continue to fill in replacements, some question what a truly inclusive living environment for disabled people should look like. Episode notes: “ ‘I Don't Want to End My Life Here”: Half of the Disabled People Living in Facilities Sent Outside Tokyo': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/10/i-dont-want-to-end-my-life-here-half-of-the-disabled-people-living-in-facilities-sent-outside-tokyo/

A powerful earthquake mainly struck Japan's Tohoku northeastern region, including Aomori Prefecture, on Monday night, measuring up to upper 6, the second-highest level on the country's seismic intensity scale. The temblor, with an estimated magnitude of 7.6, occurred at a depth of about 50 kilometers off the east coast of Aomori around 11:15 p.m. Episodes notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/09/powerful-quake-hits-northeastern-japan/