Regarding the publication of a discriminatory book on autism in Japan

Hello, I am an ASD individual living in Japan.
A controversial book titled *Psychological Techniques for Successfully Handling Troubled People in the Workplace* (職場の「困った人」をうまく動かす心理術)by industrial counselor Yuko Kanda is about to be released in Japan.
The book contains discriminatory language against people with ASD, ADHD, and other mental illnesses.
It uses illustrations comparing people with disabilities to animals; for example, ADHD is depicted as a "curious monkey," with the author stating in an interview, "I wanted to make it look cute, like a pet."

In the table of contents, the chapter on ASD includes statements like: "They don't mind giving off strange odors."
Regarding ADHD, the author says, "Their desk is a trash can."

The book also includes a simple diagnostic chart and checklist with no medical credibility.

Currently, people with developmental disabilities in Japan are speaking out and trying to stop the release of this book.
Could you please raise awareness of this issue in English-speaking countries?
I am using a translation app, so I apologize for any inappropriate expressions.
Thank you in advance.

  • You're right. Thank you for pointing it out.
    I'm also using a translation app, so I apologize.
    It's not a church, but an association.
    I've made the correction.

  • I may be incorrect, but I think the word you have translated as ‘church’, could possibly be translated as ‘association’?

    In English, ‘church’ normally refers to a Christian building where people worship God, or a group of Christian people who commonly worship God.

  • Thank you for the links.
    In Japan, the Developmental Disabilities association and the Japan Autism association have issued statements.
    Although the sites are in Japanese, I will share the links below:

    -·Association of Persons with Developmental Disabilities

    jdda.or.jp/.../


    - Japan Autism Association

    www.autism.or.jp/.../

  • Hi Runa  Thanks for that, I live part time in Fushimi near Kyoto.  For me, the good thing about living in Japan is that the Japanese see all Westerners as strange and could never be part of anything. When I am invited out I am not expected to contribute to the conversations even though many know I am familiar with the language and customs. All I need do at parties and functions is to sit down, smile and eat or drink. I am OK with that.  If I am invited out in UK I try to find excuses not to go.

    Because there are are lot more foreigners living in Japan albeit mostly other Asians, the Japanese government is concerned about harmony.  They are bringing out courses and publications on how to co-exist with foreigners. In Kyoto there are (too) many foreign tourists.  There are posters in places and on buses to explain what the various gestures that foreigners make

  • Thank you for posting here.

    I did a quick search for ‘Yuko Kanda’ and a couple of sites caught my attention. 

    The first link is to somebody’s blog. 
    The second link is to Japan Book Bank and which introduces a book by Yoko Kanda on relationships with ASD people.

    https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/04/19/asd-is-a-sloth-adhd-is-a-monkey-trauma-disorder-is-a-sheep-new-book-by-japanese-counselor-classifying-neurodivergent-people-as-animals-sparks-controversy/

    https://japanbookbank.com/en/book/5198

  • The book's obi says in Japanese: 「なぜ私がいつもあの人の尻拭いをしなきゃならないのか?」"Why am I always the one who has to clean up after that person?"

    「尻拭い」←Literally translated "Wiping butt"
    The phrase is a very crude expression in Japanese.

  • Thank you for the comments and flags.
    As my language skills are limited and I’m still unfamiliar with how to use this community, I’d greatly appreciate your help.

  • Thanks for posting.  I am not sure what we (as mainly Autistic people) can do to help this cause, other than to register obvious disgust on an individual level.

    I've flagged the post for moderator attention because it may require some additional input from the NAS.