Category: Barrier Free

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.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 17, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun Podcast #34: Escalator Death and Injury Incident Statistics in Japan

“[A]ccording to a survey conducted by the Consumer Affairs Agency and others, fatal accidents involving escalators were recorded at least seven times from June 2004 through March 2024.The Japan Elevator Association reported the number of accidents involving escalators was 1,550 during the two years from 2018 to 2019, which is two times higher than the number 15 years ago.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 17, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Imperial Family Japan

Japan’s Princess Kako Attends Dance Event for People with Disabilities

Japanese Princess Kako watched a dance event for people with disabilities held at Tokyo Gymnasium on Sunday. At the beginning of the event, the princess, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, waved to performers with a smile, with pompoms in her hands, to the music of “Matsuken Samba II,” and applauded after the song ended.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 15, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Elderly Japan

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency Reported Seven Fatal Accidents Involving Escalators Over Last 20 Years and 1,550 Accidents Between 2018 to 2019

“According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Affairs Agency and others, fatal accidents involving escalators were recorded at least seven times from June 2004 through March 2024.The Japan Elevator Association reported the number of accidents involving escalators was 1,550 during the two years from 2018 to 2019, which is two times higher than the number 15 years ago.”