Disability News Japan

Michael Gillan Peckitt

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Updated Semiweekly

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.

2h ago

Sagamihara Stabbings retrial bid rejected

The Supreme Court’s Third Petty Bench, presided over by Justice Kimihiro Ishikane, has ruled against a second retrial petition filed by former employee Satoshi Uematsu, 36, who was sentenced to death for the 2016 killings and wounding of 45 people at the Tsukui Yamayuri-en facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture. The decision, dated Sept. 29, dismissed the death-row inmate’s special appeal. Uematsu had also sought a retrial in 2022, but the petition was rejected, with the rejection becoming final at the Supreme Court in October 2025. Regarding his second petition, the Tokyo High Court ruled in August 2026 that the grounds for the petition were “substantially the same” as those of his first petition, and upheld a Yokohama District Court decision rejecting it. Episode notes: ‘Sagamihara Stabbings retrial bid rejected; Supreme Court dismisses second special appeal’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/10/01/sagamihara-stabbings-retrial-bid-rejected-supreme-court-dismisses-second-special-appeal/
1d ago

People with Disabilities in Fukuoka Face Rental Housing Woes

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. A survey by the Fukuoka City-based group Association to Eliminate Discrimination against People with Disabilities in Fukuoka City found that one in 10 respondents with disabilities or their family members had been refused when looking for private rental housing. Some respondents said they had been turned away because of their disability. Experts say such cases could constitute “unjust discriminatory treatment,” which is prohibited under Japan’s Act for Eliminating Discrimination against People with Disabilities. The survey was conducted from December last year through March this year through the group’s 20 member organizations and other channels. 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/ ‘Survey finds one in ten people with disabilities denied private rental housing in Fukuoka’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/09/30/survey-finds-one-in-ten-people-with-disabilities-denied-private-rental-housing-in-fukuoka/
2d ago

Back in Japan!

Disability News Japan is back in japan just in time for a typhoon to pass by!
3d ago

‘Last Broadcast’ from Blighty!

Up in the air and back to the Land of the Rising Sun soon! Here’s hoping typhoon 26 doesn’t make our landing a bit difficult!
Sep 24

More Typhoon Thoughts From Abroad And Cashless Britain

Typhoon 26 ‘Surigae’ on its way to Japan and likely to be around Okinawa on September 27/28. Still getting used to having to pay cashless which I physically can’t do and philosophically have problems with.
Sep 22

Typhoon Thoughts From Abroad

II is odd learning about typhoon 25 or ‘Dujuan’ from Hull in the UK via the BBC rather than in Japan via NHK. Thanks for your concern to those whom thought I might have been in Japan and I hope my currently residing in Japan friends are ok.
Sep 20

Staff member at ‘Sagamihara Stabbings’ facility slaps intellectually disabled resident

According to the prefecture, the abuse occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 21. The resident had accidentally soiled himself and taken a temporary shower before completing his regular bath. He subsequently returned to the changing room twice more and attempted to remove his clothes. The staff member slapped him while trying to stop him. Episode notes: ‘Staff member at ‘Sagamihara Stabbings’ facility slaps intellectually disabled resident’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2026/09/15/staff-member-at-sagamihara-stabbings-facility-slaps-intellectually-disabled-resident/
Sep 17

Take off!

Visiting blighty!

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.

Creator

Michael Gillan Peckitt
Years Active

2018 - 2026
Episodes

500
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© All rights reserved
Show Website

Disability News Japan