I sought and bought @hirokoyoda.bsky.social ‘s ‘8 million ways to happiness’ in the Kinokuniya in Osaka Umeda.

A new kind of ‘micro creepiness’ on a train to Kyoto: being asked if you know the time by a woman holding an iPhone, madam you are literally holding a clock, why are you asking a random stranger the time?

Man Found Dead with Massive Bleeding in Tokyo Apartment barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/09/m...

Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/09/m...

Medical Foundation Ends Disability Support Services in Miura City after Mayor’s Social Media Remarks barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/08/m...

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare begins investigation after disability pension assessments discarded barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/07/j...

After the Quake and a Cult-ish Encounter [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/07/a...

Still really shaken emotionally (and physically, my arm still hurts) by my encounter with the ‘cult-ish’ young woman on Sunday. I will never understand why people who have found a faith/belief not only feel the need to share their faith, but get upset when people say ‘no thanks’.

@gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social Misuse of Loss Prevention Tags for Stalking on Rise in Japan barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/06/m...

Misuse of Loss Prevention Tags for Stalking on Rise in Japan barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/06/m...

Hyogo Disability Rights Groups to Rally in Kobe Following Facility Violence Reports [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/05/h...

The world of ‘business consulting’ is dark place. They still seem to be doing that ‘bring your whole self to work’ thing, & view anyone who doesn’t want to bring their ‘whole self to work’ with suspicion. I don’t discuss my life outside of work with work colleagues. Full stop.

Weird, cult-like encounter in Kobe,an offer of a ‘Osechi Bus Tour’, offered to me by a young Japanese woman whom followed me around for half an hour, praying when I said wasn’t interested. Because let’s swap genders and ages and I, a 47 year old man harrased a 20-something year old woman.

Japan PM Takaichi Aims for “Inclusive Society” at Barrier-Free Awards Ceremony [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/04/j...

Unification Church Reportedly Backed 290 LDP Lawmakers in 2021 Poll barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/03/u...

@gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social Unification Church Reportedly Backed 290 LDP Lawmakers in 2021 Poll barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/03/u...

At Awards Ceremony Recognizing Barrier Free Initiatives, PM Takaichi Says She Aims for an "inclusive society" barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/03/a...

Hyogo Disability Rights Groups to Rally in Kobe Following Facility Violence Reports barrierfreejapan.com/2026/01/01/h...

Japan calls inadequate sign language access at UN a “grave issue” barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/31/j...

@gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social Japan calls inadequate sign language access at UN a “grave issue” barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/31/j...

Japan Pension Service Officials Discarded Doctors’ Disability Assessments [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/31/j...

In mourning for my Zen teacher, Ryogen (良元老師), I won’t send New Year’s cards this year. He gave me a room when I came to #Japan in 1988. I became his disciple in 2017 I try to follow his path, still a bumbling monk He was blunt, but kind and quick to laugh Thank you and may you have a good year🐴

Shogatsu - Shrines, Spirits and Japan’s New Year ⛩️ - NEW EPISODE - Supernatural Japan LISTEN Today! Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s... #Japan #HappyNewYear #Japanese #culture #travel #podcast

Over 80% of facilities for disabled face labor shortages in Japan barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/30/o...

Like many, I suppose, I end the year feeling like I didn’t achieve much, but I did start writing fiction in Japanese!

A New Warp 5 episode with @cbryanjones.bsky.social & Matthew Rushing! ‘Similitude’ always surprises me at how affective it is as an ep. The actors playing Trip and T’Pol really make what is a well trodden sci-fi premise, a person being duplicated very believable. podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/s...

Disability Abuse Cases Hit Record High in Japan in Fiscal Year 2024 [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/29/d...

@gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social Japan Pension Service Officials Discarded Doctors’ Disability Assessments barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/29/j...

Japan Pension Service Officials Discarded Doctors’ Disability Assessments barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/29/j...

“Left neglected,” “following precedent”, Japan’s education ministry apologizes for excluding people with disabilities barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/28/l...

@gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social “Left neglected,” “following precedent”, Japan’s education ministry apologizes for excluding people with disabilities barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/28/l...

@gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social Japan Cabinet Office Posts Unsubstantiated Video, Deletes It After Social Media Backlash barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/27/j...

Japan Cabinet Office Posts Unsubstantiated Video, Deletes It After Social Media Backlash barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/27/j...

'Unboxing' Proposed New Japanese Visa Requirements on Boxing Day [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/23/j...

@gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social Disability Abuse Cases Hit Record in Japan in FY 2024 barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/26/d...

Disability Abuse Cases Hit Record in Japan in FY 2024 barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/26/d...

Japan’s Welfare Ministry to Reduce Disability Reimbursement for 4 Services, Including Type B, Limited to New Facilities barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/25/j...

Japanese Ministers Agree to Raise Medical Service Fees barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/25/j...

New To The Journey! “Like a Chameleon” Matt Rushing and I discuss “State of Flux,” Seska's big secret, how the story questions Starfleet ideals, and why establishing characters matters. #StarTrek #Voyager #rewatch #podcast www.trek.fm/to-the-journ...

Let’s face it, nothing says Christmas like listening to @cbryanjones.bsky.social with Matt Rushing talk about the Voyager episode ‘State of Flux’: podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/s...

Japan to Raise Overall Medical Service Fees by 2.22 Pct barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/24/j...

Two Years After Japan’s Anti-Disability Discrimination Law Revision, Mixed Progress Perceived on ‘Reasonable Accommodation’ [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/24/t...

Two Years After Japan’s Anti-Disability Discrimination Law Revision, Mixed Progress on “Reasonable Accommodation” barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/23/t...

Japan Ruling Parties Agree to Curb Medical Costs by 188 B. Yen barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/22/j...

700,000 People with Disabilities in Japan Employed by Companies; Only 46% Meet Employment Quota barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/20/7...

@gaiaslastlaugh.bsky.social 700,000 People with Disabilities in Japan Employed by Companies; Only 46% Meet Employment Quota barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/20/7...

Last class at university taught until after New Years. I have my books lined up: Tye English translations of ‘The Third Love’ & ‘The Tale of Genji’. Never attempted Tale of Genji before, although I have read extracts & I loved Kawakami’s ‘Strange Weather in Tokyo/The Briefcase’.

I found Jake Adelstein @tokyovice.bsky.social ‘s book ‘The Devil Takes Bitcoin’ in paperback in the Kinokuniya outside Hankyu Osaka-Umeda station. Quite prominently placed.

Japan Govt to set cap on number of ‘retained workers’ used to calculate disability employment subsidies following excessive payments barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/19/j...

Third Anniversary of Disability Studies Scholar and Japanologist Dr. Mark Bookman’s Death [Podcast Episode] barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/19/t...