Tag - disability

 
 

DISABILITY

JAPAN
Feb 7, 2020
Firms including IBM Japan to develop AI 'guide suitcase' for the blind
A consortium of five companies including IBM Japan Ltd. said Thursday that they will develop a navigation suitcase equipped with artificial intelligence to help guide people with visual impairments.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 20, 2020
Blind tours at Saitama temple teach about lifestyles of visually impaired
Every month, a unique event is held at a temple in Saitama Prefecture to help people get a better understanding of visual impairment by having them walk through the temple wearing eye masks and depend more on their senses of hearing and smell.
JAPAN
Jan 7, 2020
Kyoto mayor says city will require barrier-free rooms at all new hotels and lodging facilities
In order to improve the accommodation experience for people with disabilities and elderly guests, the city of Kyoto plans to require all rooms in newly built lodging facilities to be barrier-free in principle, Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa said Monday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Dec 27, 2019
VR builds bridge between staff and young detainees with developmental disorders in Japan
One day in mid-November, instructors at the Miyagawa medical reformatory, which treats delinquent teenage boys with developmental disorders, in Ise, Mie Prefecture, experienced how people with the disabilities perceive the world by wearing virtual reality goggles and watching a video.
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2019
Japanese transport ministry to study shinkansen accessibility for wheelchair users
Transport minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said Friday a study group will be set up as early as this month to consider how to make bullet trains more accessible to wheelchair users.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Dec 1, 2019
Seeing without sight: A second encounter with a pope
When Pope Francis came through Tokyo last week, I got the chance to see my second pontiff and was surprised with a second blessing — both humbling but also very different experiences.
JAPAN
Nov 26, 2019
244 candidates passed Japan's civil service hiring exam for people with disabilities in fiscal 2019
The government said Tuesday that 244 applicants passed its national civil service examination for people with disabilities in fiscal 2019.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Oct 19, 2019
Creating a barrier-free transportation environment in Japan
Not too long ago, domestic media organizations would rarely have anything negative to say about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but as the actual games draw nearer, there's been a greater willingness to find fault with preparations and even raise a bit of alarm. Everything from Tokyo's deadly summertime heat...
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Sep 20, 2019
Sapporo group to equip emergency shelter for people with special needs
A Sapporo-based association providing support to people with rare and intractable diseases is planning to establish its own shelter early next year allowing people with special needs to find a safe place in the event of an emergency.
JAPAN
Sep 17, 2019
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend opening ceremony for festivals in Niigata
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the opening ceremony for festivals in the city of Niigata on Monday, their second visit outside Tokyo in as many weeks.
JAPAN
Sep 16, 2019
Annual government employment exam for disabled held for second time since hiring scandal
The government held a uniform employment examination for people with disabilities on Sunday, for the second time since a hiring scandal came to light last year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Sep 13, 2019
Plan to cut down ginkgo trees in Fukuoka to improve wheelchair access sparks backlash
An ongoing redevelopment project in the city of Fukuoka has sparked outrage among some local residents and calls for the authorities to reconsider their decision to cut down fully grown ginkgo trees along Fukudai-dori avenue, one of the city's main roads.
JAPAN
Aug 29, 2019
Nearly 40% of Japan government institutions miss hiring targets for people with disabilities
But the 44 state institutions have reached over 80 percent of the overall hiring target set for year-end.
JAPAN / History
Aug 22, 2019
Pioneering Japanese interpreting team opened nation's eyes to disabled athletes at '64 Paralympics
Foreign residents and wheelchairs — much less Paralympic athletes — were a rare sight in Japan in 1964.
JAPAN
Aug 21, 2019
Japan earthquake task force to redesign hazard maps to aid people with color vision deficiencies
A government task force focused on earthquake research intends to redesign its hazard maps to make it easier for those with color vision deficiencies to identify risks, an official said Wednesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Aug 18, 2019
Silent heroes: Sign language interpreters give voice to Japan's top government spokesman
Kohei Ehara sits quietly in the far corner of the spacious conference room in the Prime Minister's Office, largely unnoticed by a group of reporters waiting for Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga to start his daily briefing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 6, 2019
2020 Tokyo Olympic Games can't rescue Japan
The games will wow and stun, but they won't be a repeat of 1964.
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Aug 2, 2019
Linking mental illness to violence tarnishes an entire community
Initial reports on the Kyoto Animation fire tagged the alleged arsonist as dealing with mental illness, but his criminal past should have been emphasized more.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 1, 2019
Opposition lawmakers with severe disabilities make Upper House debut after steps taken toward creating barrier-free Diet
A special five-day Diet session following the July 21 Upper House election kicked off Thursday, marking a momentous occasion for two opposition lawmakers with severe disabilities, who entered the Diet building for the first time.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 31, 2019
Actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto aims for real-life starring role as future Japan PM
Actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto is angling for a new real-life role in which he leads his novice party and allies to victory, ousts long-ruling conservatives and takes over as prime minister within the next few years.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji