Category: Barrier Free

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 3, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Dementia Japan

Japan Government to Promote “New Perception of Dementia”

The Japanese government will promote a “new perception of dementia” to offer hope to those living with the syndrome, according to a draft plan presented Monday. The plan, which incorporates opinions from dementia sufferers, sets four priority targets, including utilizing new insights and technologies, and calls on local governments to draw up their own plans for helping people with dementia. It is expected to be approved by the cabinet in autumn.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 2, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Elderly Japan Travel

Recent Refusal of disabled man from boarding a bus in Kawasaki Echoes Cause of 1977 ‘Kawasaki bus struggle’

In 1977, large-scale protests were held over the public bus operator’s refusal to allow people in wheelchairs with cerebral palsy to board, which became known as the “Kawasaki bus struggle.” This became an impetus for the progression of rights for those with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 1, 2024 1
2024 Paris Summer Paralympics Barrier Free Disability Japan Para Sports Paralympics

“They should broadcast the Paralympics” Japanese businessman criticises lack of broadcasting of Paris Paralympics

Hiroyuki Nishimura (47), known as “Hiroyuki”, updated his X (formerly Twitter), giving his personal opinion regarding Nippon Television’s “24-hour TV”, which began its broadcast on August 31st.

“If they’re going to deal with people with disabilities on 24-hour TV, they should broadcast the Paralympics…”, referring to the Paris Paralympics that began on the 28th.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 30, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Technology Travel

Kawasaki City Bus “Refuses Boarding” Of Disabled Person, Not Allowing Use of Disability Certificate App

In August, a physically disabled man (53) was denied boarding a Kawasaki City bus because he was refused use of the disability certificate app on his smartphone. The city has approved the use of the app, and the man claims he was “unfairly refused boarding.” The city apologized to the man, saying “the driver was not aware of the problem.” While the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is progressing, the situation shows that operators are lagging behind in their understanding.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan Wheelchair

Suitcases and Wheelchairs in Japan: Together in Electric Dreams?

In March 2024, a Chinese student in Fukushima Ward in Osaka City was stopped by the police for using an ‘electric suitcase’ on the sidewalk. Since the woman’s suitcase could reach a maximum speed of 13 kph, the police classified the luggage as a motorized bicycle after noting that it has all the traits of a vehicle, therefore using such an ‘electric suitcase’ would be a potential violation of the Road Traffic Law and the Prefectural police referred the woman to prosecutors on suspicion of violating that law. This is the first time such a case has been sent to the prosecutors. However, if ‘electric suitcases’ “do not meet public safety standards” perhaps electric wheelchairs do not either, and denying electric wheelchairs on the sidewalk would deny many elderly and people with disabilities access to the world outside their home.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 7, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Eugenics Forced Sterilization Japan Mark Bookman Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #40: Child Policy Minister Meets with Forced Sterilization Plaintiffs, Documentary about Disability Advocate to be Released on DVD

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed Ayuko Kato, minister in charge of child policy, to set up a meeting between him and the plaintiffs this month, Kato told reporters after she met with Kishida at the prime minister’s office. Kato met with the plaintiffs on Thursday.

The documentary film ‘Mark – A Call to Action’ about the late Dr. Mark Bookman, Tokyo based disability studies scholar and advocate will be released on DVD in October 2024.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 24, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #36: Rainy Season Days and ‘Hostile Benches’ in Japan

Taro Igarashi is the author of “Kabobi Toshi” or “Overprotective city” published 20 years ago and in a recent interview with The Asahi Shimbun Igarashi warns how phenomena such as ‘hostile benches’ –  benches, often installed in public parks that are uncomfortable to sit on – are designed in way to discourage people from using them, that they have an “exclusionary purpose” which “has long been forgotten.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 23, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Elderly Japan

As Public Spaces Become Limited in Japan, Architectural History Professor Warns of Threat to Vulnerable Groups

Japan is a country of some 125.1 million people, approximately 13.96 million of whom live in Tokyo. Space is at a premium, so where there is space it will be used, even if; as Taro Igarashi, a professor of architectural history and theory at the graduate school of Tohoku University points out, how it is used excludes vulnerable members of society.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 21, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Elderly Japan Welfare

‘Welfare Nail Services’ for Elderly and Disabled Growing in Japan

Japan is seeing a spread of so-called welfare nail services, or nail stylists dispatched to welfare and other facilities giving manicures to elderly or disabled people.

The number of certified providers of such services, known as “welfare nailists,” has grown 3.5-fold over years, according to a training organization.