Category: Barrier Free

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 29, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Mobility

Sapporo apologizes for lack of consultation before disability driver’s license subsidy cut

It has emerged that Sapporo City has informed disability organisations that it is “impossible” to reverse its decision to abolish, from April, a subsidy of up to ¥100,000 for people with physical disabilities to obtain a driver’s licence, after the city eliminated the programme without first consulting those affected. Disabled People International Japan has expressed concern that the cuts will further restrict the mobility of wheelchair users during the winter months, when snow and ice already make travel difficult.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 15, 2026 Number of comments0
Abilympics Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast

‘Abilympics’ Held in Fukuoka [Podcast Episode]

The Abilympics Fukuoka 2026, a competition in which people with disabilities demonstrate and compete in vocational skills they have developed through their work and daily employment, was held in Kasuga, Fukuoka Prefecture, on July 11. The Abilympics are organized to help working people with disabilities improve their skills while also promoting greater understanding of the employment of people with disabilities. Competitors who achieved outstanding results qualified to compete at the National Abilympics, which will be held in Aichi Prefecture this December.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 20, 2026 1
Barrier Free Blind Disability Discrimination Election Japan

Miyazaki Disabled Man Gave Up on Voting After Mother’s Help Deemed Interference by Polling Station Staff

According to the city and other sources, the man requires assistance with walking and also has a visual impairment. He visited the polling station together with his mother. Because it took him some time to complete his ballot, his mother spoke to him while standing nearby. However, polling station staff judged her actions to constitute “voting interference,” which is prohibited under the Public Offices Election Act.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 12, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast QR Code Travel

JR East to Shift from Magnetic to QR Code Tickets in 2027 [Podcast Episode]

East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, said on Tuesday 9th June that it will discontinue magnetic short-distance tickets sold at all stations on its conventional lines and replace them with QR code tickets in spring 2027. While the current tickets are inserted into fare gates, the new tickets will require passengers to read QR codes on them at readers at the gates.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 11, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Kumamoto Welfare

Kumamoto City Investigates Disability Allowance Re-certification Procedures After “bedridden” Resident Had Welfare Payments Stopped

According to the Kumamoto Ombudsman, the recipient was bedridden and unable to visit a medical institution for an examination, yet the city suspended the allowance on the grounds that the required medical certificate had not been submitted. The Ombudsman pointed out that the recipient’s relatives had consulted the city about alternative means of completing the procedure, but the city had not accepted those requests.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 10, 2026 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Japan Railway Company QR Code Technology Travel

JR East to Shift from Magnetic to QR Code Tickets in 2027

East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, said on Tuesday 9th June that it will discontinue magnetic short-distance tickets sold at all stations on its conventional lines and replace them with QR code tickets in spring 2027. While the current tickets are inserted into fare gates, the new tickets will require passengers to read QR codes on them at readers at the gates.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 6, 2026 2
Barrier Free Disability Intellectual disabilities Japan Paralympics Sports

Summer Special Olympics Showcase an Inclusive Society in Tokyo as National Games for Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities Open

The opening ceremony for the 9th Special Olympics Japan Summer National Games, which brings together athletes with intellectual disabilities, was held on the 5th at Toyota Arena Tokyo in Koto Ward, Tokyo. About 1,200 athletes from all 47 prefectures are taking part, supported by a cumulative total of approximately 3,300 volunteers. The sporting event, which aims to embody an inclusive society where people live together regardless of disability, officially got underway.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 27, 2026 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Sagamihara

Sagamihara City staff attend disability awareness training course [Podcast Episode]

During the roughly 45-minute session, the employees watched videos created in collaboration with organizations for people with disabilities to learn about the specific challenges faced by individuals with visual, hearing, and other impairments. In group workshops, they discussed what kind of assistance they could provide in daily life.