New law expected to be passed in current session of the Diet to support disabled in Japan during disasters, especially the needs of the deaf

From The Chunichi Shimbun

May 7 2022

JAPAN – Legislation is expected to be passed in the current parliamentary session to support persons with disabilities to obtain the same information they need in their daily lives and during disasters as able-bodied persons, with the aim of eliminating disparities. Issues have been raised regarding the acquisition of information by persons with disabilities, such as the fact that subtitles and sign language interpreters are sometimes not provided for disaster news.

The bill obliges the government to take the necessary legislative and financial measures, and is expected to promote barrier-free accessibility in the information sector.

Under the name of the ‘Bill to Promote Information Accessibility and Communication Policies for Persons with Disabilities’, it was prepared by a non-partisan group of legislators based on the views of the parties concerned. It was submitted to the House of Councillors before the House of Representatives and passed the House unanimously in April.