Disability News Japan

Two strong earthquakes jolted Nagano Prefecture in central Japan on Saturday 18th April, with the first measuring a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 followed by another registering magnitude 5.1, the country's weather agency said. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of aftershocks on a similar scale over the next week or so. No tsunami warnings were issued. The first major quake occurred at 1:20 p.m. in Omachi and registered upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7, according to the agency. At 2:54 p.m., another quake registering lower 5 hit Omachi and nearby areas. Upper 5 is defined by the agency as a level at which many people find it difficult to walk.There were no immediate reports of injuries or property damage due to the quake in the landlocked prefecture. Podcast Notes: ‘Strong M5.0, 5.1 quakes hit Nagano Prefecture in central Japan': https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/74418

Japan's health ministry decided on Wednesday to lift restrictions on organ donations from individuals who have stayed in Europe, a measure introduced to combat variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). The change is expected to take effect as early as this autumn. Episode notes: ‘Japan to Lift Organ Donation Curbs on Europe Stayers': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/16/japan-to-lift-organ-donation-curbs-on-europe-stayers/

A Japanese government survey in 2025 published on Tuesday 14th April showed that 4.5 pct of respondents in the country often or constantly feel lonely, up 0.2 percentage point from the previous year. The share of people who often or constantly feel lonely was higher in their 30s to 50s. The survey, conducted by the Cabinet Office in December, found that 13.7 pct said they sometimes feel lonely and 19.5 pct said they have lonely feelings once in a while. Episode notes: ‘Government Survey Indicates 4.5 Percent in Japan Constantly Feel Lonely': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/14/government-survey-indicates-4-5-percent-in-japan-constantly-feel-lonely/

Tokyo police have arrested a former worker of a facility for children with disabilities in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, for an alleged indecent assault against a 5-year-old girl who attended the facility, it was learned Monday. * Apparently 'Indecent Assault' and 'Abuse' are different types of crimes. Episode notes: ‘Tokyo Police Arrest Ex-Child Facility Worker for Indecent Assault Against 5-Year-Old Girl with Disability': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/14/tokyo-police-arrest-ex-child-facility-worker-for-indecent-assault/

Masamichi Sone, the representative of a company operating facilities such as “Rapport” in Nishi Ward, Sapporo, has been arrested and referred to prosecutors. Sone is suspected of repeatedly submitting false applications to Sapporo City between 2022 and 2025, claiming to have provided employment support services for persons with disabilities despite not having appointed a qualified managing supervisor as required. He allegedly defrauded the city of approximately ¥35 million in benefit payments. Episode notes: 'Sapporo Employment Support Agency Executive Referred to Prosecutors Over False Disability Claims': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/12/sapporo-employment-support-agency-executive-referred-to-prosecutors-over-false-disability-claims/

Tokyo's Toshima Ward announced on the 10th that it has revoked the designation of the childcare support service “Aton Juku – Child Development Support and After-School Day Service for Children Living with Sign Language,” after it was found to have fraudulently received approximately 58.3 million yen in benefits by concealing a staff shortage. The revocation will take effect from July 1. Episode notes: ‘Tokyo's Toshima Ward Revokes Designation of Deaf Child Daycare Centre Over 58.3 Million Yen Fraud, Falsified Staff Reports': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/11/tokyos-toshima-ward-revokes-designation-of-deaf-child-daycare-centre-over-58-3-million-yen-fraud-falsified-staff-reports/

When an advocacy group for people with mental and developmental disabilities conducted a survey on employment, over 60% of respondents reported having experience with "closed employment" - working without disclosing their disability. Many cited the reason for non-disclosure as "feeling that it would lead to employment disadvantages such as dismissal or contract non-renewal.” Episode notes: ‘60% of Workers in Japan with Mental or Developmental Disabilities Do Not Disclose Disability': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/09/60-of-workers-in-japan-with-mental-or-developmental-disabilities-do-not-disclose-disability/

Novel Alzheimer's therapies have been given to 19 pct of outpatients who applied for the medications, according to a recent survey at a Tokyo hospital. The lecanemab and donanemab therapies for early-stage Alzheimer's patients are now clinically available under Japan's national health insurance scheme, which curbs a sharp rise in out-of-pocket medical expenses. Despite the relatively low-cost availability, however, the drugs have eventually been administered to only 87 out of 456 applicants, the survey by a study group at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology showed. Episode notes: ‘Novel Alzheimer's Therapies Given to Less than 20 Percent of Applicants': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/08/novel-alzheimers-therapies-given-to-less-than-20-percent-of-applicants/

Amid support programs for the employment of people with disabilities, an unprecedented case of fraudulent benefit claims by an Osaka-based company has come to light. The total amounts to ¥15 billion, funded, of course, by taxpayers. Episode notes: ‘Disabled Service Users at Employment Facility Exploiting Benefit Loopholes “felt something like guilt”': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/04/disabled-service-users-at-employment-facility-exploiting-benefit-loopholes-felt-something-like-guilt/

A recent analysis of a government report showed that nearly 500 people aged 65 and older died between fiscal 2006 and 2024 as a result of murder or abuse by family members or relatives who had been caring for them, highlighting the increasingly harsh environment surrounding in-home caregiving. Episode notes: ‘Nearly 500 elderly killed by family caregivers in Japan in FY 2006-2024': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/06/__trashed-6/

Japanese health minister Kenichiro Ueno on Friday 3rd April urged the public to exercise caution as measles cases are increasing. The number of people infected with the disease in Japan this year had reached 152 as of March 22, the highest total for the same period since 2020. Episode notes: ‘Japan Health Minister Warns about Rising Measles Cases': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/04/japan-health-minister-warns-about-rising-measles-cases/

A survey of families of people with disabilities has revealed that nearly 60% responded that they feel they have reached their limit with caregiving (care/assistance). It was also found that about 90% said they are worried about the lives of people with disabilities after their parents have passed away. 'Survey Reveals 60% of Families of People with Disabilities in Japan Feel They are at Care “Limit” ‘: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/03/survey-reveals-60-of-families-of-people-with-disabilities-in-japan-feel-they-are-at-care-limit/

“We'd like you to resign.” Hearing those words, Yamakawa (a pseudonym) was shocked. They never expected such a drastic change in their employer's attitude. The incident that came to mind had happened just four days earlier. Yamakawa had revealed to the head of the company, where they had been working for three years, that they had ASD. Episode notes: ‘ “We'd like you to resign”: Worker in Japan fired 4 days after revealing autism': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/04/02/wed-like-you-to-resign-worker-in-japan-fired-4-days-after-revealing-autism/

An earthquake struck eastern Japan on the morning of April 1st, with the Japan Meteorological Agency reporting a magnitude of 5.0. The quake occurred at around 10:06 a.m. Strong shaking was observed across parts of Tochigi Prefecture and neighboring areas in the Kanto region, including zones registering intensity 4. There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries, but authorities are continuing to assess the situation. No tsunami warning was issued.

According to the announcement, as of June 1, 2024, three municipalities, Kinokawa, Shirahama, and Kushimoto, did not meet the statutory employment rate of 2.8% for persons with disabilities under the Act on Employment Promotion of Persons with Disabilities. As a result, they formulated employment plans for hiring persons with disabilities as required by the law. However, despite guidance from the bureau aimed at achieving the target, the situation had not improved by the deadline of the end of December 2025. Episode notes: 'Wakayama Fails to Hire Statutory Number of People with Disabilities': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/31/wakayama-fails-to-hire-statutory-number-of-people-with-disabilities/

Osaka City said March 27 it had revoked the operating licenses of four disability employment support facilities run by subsidiaries of Kizuna Holdings, after determining they had improperly received excessive public subsidies tied to employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Kizuna Holdings operates Type A continuous employment support facilities, where users with disabilities work in structured settings while receiving wages subsidized by public funds, with the aim of transitioning into regular employment. Episode notes: ‘Osaka revokes licenses of Kizuna Holdings units over excess disability subsidies': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/30/osaka-revokes-licenses-of-kizuna-holdings-units-over-excess-disability-subsidies/

According to the report for 2025 compiled jointly by the health ministry and the National Police Agency, the total suicide figure dropped 1,132 from the previous year to 19,188, the lowest since 1978, when the statistics began. Episode notes: ‘Japan Sees Fewest-Ever Suicides in 2025': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/28/japan-sees-fewest-ever-suicides-in-2025/

The number of students diagnosed with developmental disabilities in Japan is increasing. A key issue is how schools provide support. This report looks at both students struggling with disabilities and efforts by universities. Episode notes: ‘Students with Developmental Disabilities Rise to 12,000 Nationwide in Japan': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/27/students-with-developmental-disabilities-rise-to-12000-nationwide-in-japan/

Miyazaki City has revoked the designation of service provider ‘Porto' that supports preschool children with disabilities after it was found to have fraudulently received approximately 14 million yen in benefits from the city. Episode notes: ‘Miyazaki City Day Care Centre for Disabled Children Improperly Claimed 14 Million Yen, Designation Revoked': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/26/miyazaki-city-day-care-centre-for-disabled-children-improperly-claimed-14-million-yen-designation-revoked/

In an accident in March 2025 at the “Prefectural Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center,” a residential facility for children with disabilities in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, a resident (then 14) fell from a stretcher, suffered fractures, and later died. On the 23rd, the prefectural government released the results of its investigation. As to causes, it pointed to failures to thoroughly ensure safety, including in the operation of equipment, as well as a lack of shared caregiving methods tailored to each resident. Episode notes: ‘Tottori Accepts Liability in Death of Disabled Teen at Care Facility': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/25/tottori-accepts-liability-in-death-of-disabled-teen-at-care-facility/

An estimated 227,000 people in Japan are living with higher brain dysfunction, an “invisible disability” caused by brain damage from strokes or accidents, yet the condition remains poorly understood because its symptoms are not outwardly apparent. As a result, families of those affected often face profound and isolating challenges, including sudden personality changes, emotional instability, and cognitive impairments that others may misinterpret as normal behavior. This lack of visible signs can lead to misunderstanding and insufficient support, leaving caregivers to cope with stress, confusion, and loneliness while navigating daily life alongside their loved ones. Episode notes: ‘227,000 people in Japan have “Higher Brain Dysfunction”; families speak of loneliness and reality': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/22/227000-people-in-japan-have-higher-brain-dysfunction-families-speak-of-loneliness-and-reality/

People with disabilities in Japan continue to face significant barriers in securing housing and accommodation, with multiple recent cases highlighting concerns over discrimination, limited legal enforcement, and a lack of understanding among property owners and service providers. Episode notes: ‘People with disabilities in Japan face persistent barriers to housing, accommodation': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/23/people-with-disabilities-in-japan-face-persistent-barriers-to-housing-accommodation/

Japan's transport ministry has come up with draft guidelines aimed at reducing long waiting lines at women's toilets at stations and commercial facilities. At a meeting of experts and businesspeople on Friday 13th March, the ministry presented its first draft guidelines for public restrooms in such places. The guidelines say it is important for both men and women to be able to use restrooms comfortably, and that the waiting times for each must be equal. They also say that the number of toilets for women needs to be higher than those for men at facilities where the number of male and female toilet users are almost the same. Episode notes: ‘Japan's new guidelines aim to reduce long lines of women at public toilets': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/22/japans-new-guidelines-aim-to-reduce-long-lines-of-women-at-public-toilets/

I thought ‘Alone in Japan: A Journey to the Future' by Tom Feiling was interesting and engaging. I recommend the audiobook. ‘Alone in Japan: A Journey to the Future' (Amazon JP): https://amzn.asia/d/0a0h4eQN

A pedestrian crossing built to a new standard with wider spacing between white lines than before was introduced this month at an intersection near JR Takase Station in Takase Town, Mitoyo City, the first such installation in Shikoku. On the 18th, the prefectural police invited visually impaired people and others to walk across it and share their feedback. In July 2024, related laws on road markings were partially revised, making it possible to widen the spacing between white lines from the previous 45–50 centimetres to as much as 90 centimetres. This is expected to reduce maintenance costs, as it can lessen deterioration caused by vehicle traffic. Episode notes: ‘Shikoku Island Town Trials New Pedestrian Crossing for Visually Impaired': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/19/shikoku-island-town-trials-new-pedestrian-crossing-for-visually-impaired/

In the ruling on Tuesday 17th March, Presiding Judge Hisashi Ito said that Aoba clearly understood the meaning of his decision, and that the impact of his delusional disorder on the decision was hardly seen. The judge added that it is “not unreasonable” for Aoba to believe that withdrawing the appeal was better than being deemed delusional by a higher court and being executed. Episode notes: ‘Withdrawal of Appeal against Death Sentence Found Valid in KyoAni Case': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/18/withdrawal-of-appeal-against-death-sentence-found-valid-in-kyoani-case/

The notebooks include instructions such as “Please call 110 (police)” and are intended for use by people who are deaf or have difficulty speaking, enabling them to request assistance from those nearby in emergency situations. At a presentation ceremony held at the prefectural government office, the notebooks were donated by the Oita branch of NTT West Japan. Episode notes: ‘Oita Prefecture receives notebooks to assist hearing-impaired in emergencies': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/18/oita-prefecture-receives-notebooks-to-assist-hearing-impaired-in-emergencies/

A male leukemia patient between 10 and 19 died and two other young male patients are unconscious after spinal injections of anticancer drugs at a hospital in the city of Saitama, near Tokyo, hospital officials have said. The Saitama Prefectural Children's Medical Center is consulting police in view of the possibility that the incident resulted from a criminal or accidental cause, the officials said Wednesday. Of the three patients, one died in February, while a boy under 10 and the other patient, who is between 10 and 19, are in critical condition. Episode notes: ‘Patient Dies, 2 Critical after Injections at Hospital near Tokyo': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/12/patient-dies-2-critical-after-injections-at-hospital-near-tokyo/

Japan's Daichi Oguri won the silver medal in the men's snowboard banked slalom SB-LL1 event at the Milano-Cortina Paralympics on Friday. This is Japan's third medal in the ongoing Paralympics, and its 100th winter Paralympic medal overall. Alpine sit skier Momoka Muraoka's 11th career Paralympic medal at this year's Milan Cortina games has made her Japan's most decorated winter Paralympian, a new high in an already stellar career. Episode notes: ‘Japan's Oguri Wins Para Snowboard Silver at Milan-Cortina': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/14/japans-oguri-wins-para-snowboard-silver-at-milan-cortina/ ‘Paralympics: Record 11th medal for Momoka Muraoka marks new high in stellar career' (Peter Masheter for Kyodo): https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/72185

In September 2025, a 21-year-old man residing in a welfare facility for people with disabilities in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, was assaulted by a male staff member and lost sight in his left eye. On the 10th, the Kobe District Court sentenced the former staff member, Akira Kamitake (23), to three years in prison, suspended for five years (the prosecution had sought four years of imprisonment). Testimony from the trial and further reporting have shed light on the background of the incident. Episode notes: ‘ “Stop your damn crying”: Guilty Verdict for Staff Member in Abuse Case at Hyogo Facility for Disabled': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/13/stop-your-damn-crying-guilty-verdict-for-staff-member-in-abuse-case-at-hyogo-facility-for-disabled/

Referring to “the case in which a mother killed her daughter with a severe disability,” Noburo Takachi mentioned the incident that occurred in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture. He noted that many opinions online say “the mother cannot be blamed,” creating an atmosphere suggesting it was unavoidable, referring to comments circulating on social media about the suspect. Episode notes: ‘Actor Noburo Takachi on Murder of Disabled Daughter: “I Feel a Discrimination Between Lives”': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/12/actor-noburo-takachi-on-murder-of-disabled-daughter-i-feel-a-discrimination-between-lives/

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department on the 10th referred a 46-year-old former employee of the disability support facility Takinogawa Gakuen Adult Division to prosecutors on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death, over an incident last March in which he allegedly looked away from a man with an intellectual disability (48 at the time), leading to the man being struck and killed by a train at a railroad crossing in Kunitachi, Tokyo, investigative sources said. Episode notes: ‘Ex-Tokyo Disability Facility Worker Referred Over Railroad Crossing Death': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/11/ex-tokyo-disability-facility-worker-referred-over-railroad-crossing-death/

Many evacuees from Fukushima Prefecture cite anxiety about a lack of medical services as a reason for their hesitation to return to their hometowns devastated by a severe nuclear accident following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. More than half of the population who lived in Futaba just before the triple disaster are still living outside their hometowns, although evacuation orders have been lifted in many places in the county. In Fukushima, the number of medical institutions has plunged since the disaster. Many of the 132 medical facilities that had operated in the prefecture have suspended operations, leaving only 47 currently in service. Episode notes: '15 Years On: Medical Care Key to Evacuees' Return to Fukushima': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/10/15-years-on-medical-care-key-to-evacuees-return-to-fukushima/

A mother has been arrested on suspicion of killing her daughter by drowning her face in water at a home in Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture. The suspect (58) is suspected of killing her daughter Kana (29) by holding her head against a container filled with water at her home in Mobara City on the 8th. Kana was severely disabled and bedridden, and the mother reportedly admitted to the charges, saying, “I intended to kill myself, too.” Episode notes: ‘Mother Arrested in Chiba Over Alleged Drowning Death of Disabled Daughter': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/09/mother-arrested-in-chiba-over-alleged-drowning-death-of-disabled-daughter/

The ancient Verona Arena that hosted the opening ceremony for Friday's Milan Cortina Paralympic Games has been undergoing a raft of accessibility changes to bring it in line with the sport event's values of equality. The modifications to the arena, which dates back around 2,000 years, include ramps, protective railings and, after the games, an elevator. The work has been undertaken as part of some 20 million euros ($23 million) worth of improvements funded by the Italian government to enhance accessibility throughout Verona. Episode notes: ‘Paralympics: Ancient Verona Arena boosts accessibility for opening ceremony': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/08/paralympics-ancient-verona-arena-boosts-accessibility-for-opening-ceremony/

The Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games kicked off Friday with an opening ceremony at an amphitheater in Verona, a UNESCO world heritage city in northern Italy. Over 600 athletes from a record 55 countries and regions will vie for medals in 79 events across six sports at the first winter Paralympics in Italy since the 2006 Turin Games. A total of 44 Japanese athletes will compete in all six sports, making it the largest Japanese delegation for a winter Paralympic Games held outside of Japan. Considering the burden of travel caused by the dispersed venues, each country and region was encouraged to have only two athletes attend the opening ceremony. Snowboarder Junta Kosuda and curling player Aki Ogawa carried the Japanese flag in the ceremony. Japanese Paralympians are just three medals shy of reaching a 100 cumulative medals won at the Winter Games. The country netted 24 medals at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics held last month, a record high for the Winter Olympics.

Japan's biggest Winter Paralympic delegation in decades will take part in the Milan Cortina Games from Friday, with competitors in multiple events tipped to bring home medals. The Winter Paralympics, which run through March 15, are Italy's first since Torino 2006 and mark the 50th anniversary of the games. More than 600 athletes are expected to compete in 79 events in six sports. Episode notes: ‘Japan heads to Winter Paralympic Games with biggest team in decades': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/06/japan-heads-to-winter-paralympic-games-with-biggest-team-in-decades/

Tokyo High Court on Wednesday 4th March upheld a district court order for the dissolution of the controversial religious group Unification Church, stripping the organization of its status as a religious corporation. “A dissolution order is necessary and inevitable, even when taking into consideration the impact on followers' freedom of religion,” Motoko Miki, presiding judge of the high court, said. Episode notes: ‘Tokyo High Court Upholds Unification Church Dissolution Order': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/05/tokyo-high-court-upholds-unification-church-dissolution-order/

Hiroshima Prefecture announced on Feb. 27 that it will revoke the designation of four facilities in Etajima City, including “Popo Etajima,” which serve children with disabilities. The revocation, due to fraudulent claims by the operator, will take effect on April 1. The city of Kure also announced it will take similar action against three facilities in the city operated by the same company. The total amount of fraudulent claims is about 260 million yen, affecting 214 children. As they will no longer be able to use the services from April 1, the prefectural government and other authorities are coordinating alternative placements. Episode notes: ‘Hiroshima Revokes Designation of 7 Facilities for Disabled Children; Fraudulent Claims Affect 214': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/04/hiroshima-revokes-designation-of-7-facilities-for-disabled-children-fraudulent-claims-affect-214/

Kitakyushu City said it will revoke the designation of a Type B continuous employment support facility for people with disabilities in Yahatanishi Ward after its operator, based in Nakama, Fukuoka Prefecture, was found to have fraudulently claimed public support funds. According to the city, the company falsely reported that a full-time instructor was employed to improve participants' wages in order to receive additional staffing payments between May and September last year, and also inflated attendance records for a user approved for services by another municipality, billing for more days than were actually attended. The revocation, under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act, will take effect on March 31. Episode notes: ‘Kitakyushu to Revoke Designation of Disability Support Facility Over Fraudulent Benefit Claims': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/03/kitakyushu-to-revoke-designation-of-disability-support-facility-over-fraudulent-benefit-claims/

Tomoyoshi Aoki, a 51-year-old certified social worker from Saitama Prefecture, says he discovered that his former employer, ‘Nihon Remake', which operates more than 10 group homes for people with disabilities in Saitama City, was overcharging residents for meal and other expenses and improperly claiming public reimbursements. After clashing with the company over how to address the issues, Aoki filed a whistleblower report with the prefectural government before resigning in late 2024. The prefecture later instructed the company to refund excess charges and return improperly received payments. In April 2025, however, the company sued Aoki at the Saitama District Court for about 41.3 million yen in damages, alleging he took accounting documents without authorization and disrupted operations. The case remains ongoing. Episode notes: ‘Saitama Social Worker Reports Company for Overcharging Disabled Residents, is Sued for Stealing Documents': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/03/02/saitama-social-worker-reports-company-for-overcharging-disabled-residents-is-sued-for-stealing-documents/

Three nurses, including Ryusuke Asakura, a 50-year-old former staff member at a municipal support center for people with severe disabilities in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, filed a lawsuit in 2024 alleging they were retaliated against for reporting abuse of residents. The trio say they alerted authorities in 2019 after their concerns were ignored internally, leading the city to acknowledge multiple cases of abuse, but claim they were subsequently subjected to lengthy home suspensions, dismissal and job transfers by the facility's operator, prompting their legal action. Episode notes: ‘Western Japan Disability Nurses have Difficulties but “no regrets” in Reporting “culture” of Abuse': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/27/western-japan-disability-nurses-have-difficulties-but-no-regrets-in-reporting-culture-of-abuse/

With one week to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open on March 6, Japan is preparing for its 11th appearance at the Winter Paralympics, carrying a proud legacy in the competition. Since making its debut at the Innsbruck 1988 Paralympic Winter Games, Japan has won a total of 97 medals - 27 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze - establishing itself as a consistent force in winter para sports. Episode notes: ‘Japan Eyes Strong Showing at Milano-Cortina Paralympics with One Week to Go': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/27/japan-eyes-strong-showing-at-milano-cortina-paralympics-with-one-week-to-go/

A care worker who reported the sexual abuse of a female resident at a disability group home in Ibaraki Prefecture has warned that the toll of his subsequent court battle could discourage others from coming forward. Yusuke Okanemasa, 47, reported the alleged abuse in 2021, which prefectural authorities later confirmed, but he became embroiled in a dispute with his employer and eventually resigned after a pay cut. Although the Tokyo High Court in July 2025 ruled the pay cut invalid and ordered limited damages, it did not recognize the measure as retaliation for whistleblowing. Okanemasa said the lawsuit cost him about 1.5 million yen and required “an enormous amount of mental and emotional energy, as well as time,” warning that if such consequences follow abuse reports, “people will think it's better to keep their mouths shut,” leaving victims unprotected and underscoring the need for stricter official action. Episode notes: ‘Ibaraki Care Worker Who Reported Abuse Warns Legal Battle May Deter Future Whistleblowers': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/26/ibaraki-care-worker-who-reported-abuse-warns-legal-battle-may-deter-future-whistleblowers/

Nagoya City held a meeting with disability groups and others regarding the wooden reconstruction of the main keep of Nagoya Castle. On February 11th the city held its first public briefing session since discriminatory remarks were made at a citizens' debate in 2023. At the session, it reaffirmed its policy of proceeding with the wooden reconstruction plan by installing a small-scale lifting device. Nineteen groups, including disability organizations, took part in the meeting held on the 20th, where the city explained the basic principles of the plan. Episode notes: ‘Nagoya Aims to Finalize Barrier-Free Policy for Castle Keep by February': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/22/nagoya-aims-to-finalize-barrier-free-policy-for-castle-keep-by-february/

A former support staff member at a disability workshop in Kodaira, Tokyo, who was dismissed after reporting alleged abuse by colleagues and a senior executive, reached a court-mediated settlement in 2024 with the operating social welfare corporation. The staff member had filed suit at the Tokyo District Court, arguing the dismissal was retaliation for whistleblowing in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act. Under the settlement, the corporation retracted the dismissal and paid 4.8 million yen. Municipal authorities later recognized abuse by around 10 staff members, and the Tokyo metropolitan government issued administrative guidance to the corporation over excessive welfare payments. Episode notes: ‘Fired After Reporting Abuse, Care Worker Awarded 4.8 Million Yen': https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/02/24/fired-after-reporting-abuse-care-worker-awarded-4-8-million-yen/

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/