Comfort Women

'Comfort Women' Await Apology from Japan

"The aging women who suffered as sex slaves in Japan's World War II army--socalled comfort women--are still hoping for an official apology. As time runsout for many of them, activists are working to provide them with mental andphysical care...

... the South Korean government now extends medical assistance and amonthly allowance to comfort women. Donations and various campaigns run bythe activists also help the survivors to keep fighting.

This month, a landmark step in their fight was the announcement of aplan by Japanese activists to establish the world's first museum for femalevictims of violence and war, the Women's Museum for War and Peace, to becompleted in 2006 in Tokyo."

Women's eNews May 31, 2004

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Law

Japan toughens law on domestic violence

"There is no government data on the number of cases of domestic violence in Japan. But a national survey, conducted by the Prime Minister's Office in late 1999, showed 4.6 percent or one in 20 Japanese women aged 20 or older had suffered from ''life-threatening'' domestic violence.

A growing public outcry about violence behind closed doors prompted Japan to enact its first law on domestic violence in October 2001."

Death From Overwork

Japan reports 157 deaths from overwork in FY 2003

"Of the total, people deemed eligible for such compensation due to suicide or mental illness came to a record 108, the figures show.... Among those deemed eligible for compensation due to suicide or mental illness, 77 were male and 31 female. Those in their 30s and those with special expertise, such as in systems engineering, constituted the most."

Xinhuanet (China View) May 25, 2004

Suicide Prevention Manual

Medical manual targets Japan's suicide dilemma

"Suicide has long remained a serious problem in Japan and over the past five years over 30,000 people have taken their lives each year -- roughly triple the number of yearly road deaths.

Mental disorders -- depression in particular -- are largely to blame for this alarmingly high number of deaths. Realizing this, the Japan Medical Association has compiled a "Suicide Prevention Manual," which, with 10 warning signs of suicide (see list below), aims to help doctors and individuals detect dangerous cases and give the right treatment."

Mainichi Shimbun April 20, 2004

Sarin Victims

The Asahi Shimbun Editorial: POINT OF VIEW/ Yogo Isogai:
Real support for sarin victims sadly lacking


"As one person said: ``My body won't stop trembling. I try to lie down and sleep, but the terrible scenes of that morning reappear before my eyes. I've been up for two straight days now.'

Some of the techniques employed by the media-recounting the realities of the attack in the most lurid detail possible-have increased the psychological pain of the victims. What's more, there is surprisingly little knowledge of this situation."

The Asahi Shimbun. (International Herald Tribune/Asahi) April 30, 2004

Assessment

Firms may have to assess mental health in Japan

"The Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is considering revising the Industrial Safety and Health Law to require companies to assess the mental health of their employees in a bid to urge companies to be sensitive to mental health problems, sources said."

Medical News Today (UK site) - Written by Yomiuri Shimbun, 4, May 2004

The Asahi Shimbun Editorial: Doctor training reform

"New doctors, for their part, should try to acquire not just medical techniques but also interpersonal and counseling skills, including the ability to convert technical language into plain, easily understood Japanese."

The Asahi Shimbun, April 14