Latest news with #Health Labour and Welfare Ministry
Malay Mail
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Japan enacts first law to promote sign language ahead of Deaflympics
TOKYO, July 20 — Japan's central and local governments are required under a new law to take steps to promote the use of sign language, aiming to build momentum ahead of hosting the Deaflympics in November, Kyodo News Agency reported. The law took effect on June 25 following the approval in parliament of legislation drafted by cross-party lawmakers. It marks the first time Japan has enacted a law specifically on sign language, according to the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry. Calling the legislation 'historic,' the Japanese Federation of the Deaf said in a statement it is 'deeply moved' when thinking of the predecessors who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of sign language. Protecting sign language will 'shine a light on the future of deaf and hard of hearing people,' it said. The law requires the national and local governments to take necessary steps to improve environments that ensure reasonable accommodations for learning and using sign language. The governments must take steps to preserve and develop sign language culture, including in areas such as theatre and traditional arts, and to deepen public understanding. The state is also required to adopt fiscal measures to fund these efforts. The governments are also urged to assign teachers or staff proficient in sign language to ensure that students who need it can receive an education. According to the federation, ordinances promoting sign language have been enacted in 40 prefectures and approximately 550 municipalities. The legislation comes ahead of Japan's first time hosting the Deaflympics, an international sporting event for deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes, to be held in Tokyo and other areas, with around 6,000 athletes and officials expected from 70 to 80 countries and regions. — Bernama-Kyodo
NHK
13-07-2025
- General
- NHK
Survey in Japan finds record percentage of working mothers
A government survey has shown that across Japan, more than 80 percent of mothers in households with children under 18 are working -- the highest percentage on record. The finding is from an annual survey on the situation of households by the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry. More than 40,000 households responded last year. It said an estimated 8,886,000 households had mothers with children younger than 18 years old. Out of those households, 7,180,000, or 80.9 percent, had working mothers. That's up by 3.1 percentage points from the previous survey in 2023, surpassing the 80-percent mark for the first time since comparable data became available in 2004. Among such working mothers in households, 3.02 million, or 34.1 percent, were regular employees, up by 1.7 percentage points from the previous survey. Non-regular employees were 3.26 million, or 36.7 percent, up 1.2 percentage points. The ministry says that improvements in social systems seem to have contributed to the increase in mothers as regular workers. There is also growing momentum for both men and women to continue working while raising children. The ministry says it will continue to provide support for balancing childcare and work, and to promote women's participation in society.
