The Institute for Japanese Studies presents:
Hisae Miyauchi
OSU Visiting Scholar, Education and Human Ecology
University of Tsukuba, Human Sciences
Title: Disability and Japan
Flyer: Miyauchi Flyer
Abstract: Inclusiveness and the harmonious aspects of Japan have fascinated national and international scholars. For example, as far back as the 14th century, many men and women with visual impairment were economically independent and actively engaged in society. They were able to do so by attaining social recognition as musicians or acupuncturists. However, when we look at the current education for children with disabilities in Japan, the inclusive aspect may be questionable. Today, expanding “inclusive education” --which embraces having all children including those with disabilities learn in local schools-- is a global agenda. Although the right of all children to learn in an inclusive setting is recognized in Japan, the number of children with severe sensory impairment learning in separate or non-inclusive settings is much higher than either the US or the UK. In this presentation, the current education in Japan and some factors that complicate the inclusion of children will be highlighted.
Bio: Dr. Hisae Miyauchi is Assistant Professor at University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Human Sciences, and a visiting scholar at College of Education and Human Ecology since September 2018. Her research interests include history of education for visual impairment and inclusive education. Her recent publications include "Reformation of Education for the Blind in 1960s England in Relation to Widening Opportunities for Open Employment" (in Journal of Special Education Research, 2018) and "Japanese Inclusive Education (Japans Wege der schulischen Inklusion)" (in Zeitschrift für Heilpädagogik, 2019).
Free and Open to the Public
The IJS Lecture Series is supported by a U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant to The Ohio State University East Asian Studies Center.
