- Title: Japan confronts disability stigma after mass killing
- Date: 16th September 2016
- Summary: PARENTS OF ONO, TAKASHI ONO AND CHIKIKO ONO, SHOWING PICTURES
- Embargoed: 1st October 2016 06:52
- Keywords: Japan disabled mass killing stigma
- Location: TOKYO, ZAMA, SAGAMIHARA, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, ZAMA, SAGAMIHARA, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0064ZTDK5H
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Residents and staff of Murasaki Aiikuen, one of the biggest facilities for people with multiple disabilities in Tokyo, are still struggling to understand one of Japan's worst mass killings that took the lives of 19 people at a similar care facility in July.
The stabbing attack on residents of the Tsukui Yamayuri-en in Sagamihara, is deemed to be the worst mass killing since World War Two in Japan.
The suspect, Satoshi Uematsu, told police his horrifying attack was inspired by the Nazi ideology of eugenics and he described the bloodshed as 'mercy killing' of the disabled.
According to police, Uematsu targeted heavily disabled residents at the facility whom he believed 'should disappear'.
Although Uematsu's intentions and actions have been made known and discussed, there has been little information made public about the victims except for their ages which ranged from 19 to 70.
Despite an outpouring of shock and sympathies, there were few public vigils as the victims remained anonymous.
The reaction is also in stark contrast to victims of other mass killings, such as the recent deaths of Japanese nationals in Bangladesh in an attack by Islamic militants.
The silence surrounding the attack in Sagamihara has sparked debate about the need for change in a society where people with disabilities still suffer stigma and shame despite efforts by activists and the government to change attitudes.
Cognitive illness in Japan - unlike in many advanced Western countries - also stigmatises the whole family, as disabled family members have traditionally been seen as 'shameful'.
"It saddens me to know that there were a lot of people actually agreeing (with the suspect's motives)," said Kazuya Fujimura, an instructor at Aiikuen.
After the incident, local police where the facility is located released a statement to Japanese media saying they did not release the victims' names because it was a facility for cognitively disabled people and they needed to protect the families' privacy.
They also said the victims' families had requested special consideration about how the matter was reported.
Takashi Ono and his wife Chikiko are among the few of families who have gone public following the attack.
"It is customary for people with disabilities to be discriminated against so their families tend to be very protective, we can't criticise them for that," said Takashi Ono, stepfather of 43-year-old Kazuya, a long time resident of the Tsukui Yamayuri-en who survived multiple stab wounds in the attack.
"People with disabilities are living their lives as best as they can, and they don't see themselves as 'disabled'. 'Healthy people' just label them as 'disabled' and look down on or discriminate against them. I hate that. I really don't like it," he said, adding he and his wife have always been open about their son, who has autism and cognitive disabilities.
Shinichiro Kumagaya, associate professor of 'self' studies at University of Tokyo, who is himself in a wheelchair, says visibility is an important step for the recognition of the rights of the disabled in Japan.
"The root of all values is derived from the principle that an in individual's life is of paramount importance. In order to convey this, I would've liked to have had more attention on what sort of the people the victims were. It is unfortunate that this was not possible this time," Kumagaya said.
Japan ratified a U.N. treaty on disabled people's rights in 2014, albeit after several other Asian countries had done so. In April, an anti-discrimination law took effect.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe regularly mentions the disabled when speaking of his plans for a more inclusive society to cope with a shrinking population.
Preparations for the 2020 Paralympics are providing impetus for an improved barrier-free environment, at least in Tokyo, where Tokyo Metro aims to have all subway stations equipped with a multi-purpose elevator by March 2019, up from the current 81 percent.
Optimists say the debate itself over the anonymity of the Sagamihara victims is also cause for hope. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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