Barrier Free – Page 31 – Barrier Free Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 12, 2022 1

Unmanned Stations “not just about disabled people” say plaintiffs in JR Kyushu accessibility case

On February 10th, the Oita District Court heard oral arguments in a lawsuit filed by three wheelchair users in Oita City who claimed that they suffered from restrictions on their freedom of movement due to JR Kyushu’s decision to make its stations unmanned. The plaintiffs presented their views on JR Kyushu’s decision to make four new stations in the prefecture unmanned, and appealed to the court to “take a sincere look at its role as a public transportation system once again.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 3, 2022 0

Barrier Free Disability Japan MaaS Mobility as a Service Travel

Japan trials ‘MaaS’ information-sharing service to enable wheelchair users to travel

Mobility as a Service, or MaaS is an emerging type of service that, through an app or other type of digital service or software, enables users to plan, book, and pay for multiple types of mobility services.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 19, 2022 0

Barrier Free Blind Disability Japan Kobe Technology

‘Signal Colour’ detection system to be introduced in Hyogo to help visually impaired cross roads

Hyogo Prefecture has become the first prefecture in Japan to use a new guidance system for the blind and visually impaired whereby the colour of traffic lights can be detected via a smartphone.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 16, 2022 0

Barrier Free Blind Braille Japan

Winter snow prompts northeastern city in Japan to take steps to help visually impaired

The Iwate Prefecture city of Morioka’s general rule is to remove snow when over 10 centimeters of it has accumulated on streets, but it has been tightened to 5 centimeters on a trial basis on city roads around the prefectural Morioka School for the Blind.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 11, 2022 0

Barrier Free Japan Politics Reiwa Shinsengumi

“We will connect to a Diet where various parties can work comfortably”: Japanese parliamentarians on being a politician with a disability

Masako Okawara (68), a member of the House of Representatives and a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party who uses a wheelchair; as well as Eiko Kimura (56) & and Yasuhiko Funago (64), whom are in the House of Councilors and are members of Reiwa Shinsengumi, were asked by The Tokyo Shimbun about what it is like to work in the Diet with a disability.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 5, 2022 0

Barrier Free Disability Japan Tokyo 2020 Work

After Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, artists with disabilities reach consumers, enabling participation

In addition to encouraging their participation in society, more products that demonstrate disabled people’s artistry and sense of design are hitting the market, with last year’s Tokyo Paralympic Games giving these initiatives even more momentum.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 8, 2021 0

Barrier Free Disability Podcast Travel Wheelchair

Disability News Japan Podcast Episode 82: Japan’s Transport Ministry offers “administrative guidance” to JR Kyushu after wheelchair user was refused access to train

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has issued administrative guidance to Kyushu Railway Co. (JR Kyushu) over an inability to provide assistance to a wheelchair user in Nagasaki Prefecture when the station had no personnel present, sometimes referred to as an ‘unmanned station.’

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 6, 2021 0

Barrier Free Hearing Impaired Japan Travel

Disability News Japan Episode 81: Hearing-impaired woman refused access to Yokohama ropeway

YOKOHAMA – In July in Naka-ku, Yokohama, a hearing-impaired woman tried to ride on a ropeway by herself, but was refused use because of her disability, according to an interview with a person concerned. It was reported that the business operator has stipulated in the manual that hearing-impaired people should not use it alone.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 5, 2021 2

Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Hearing Impaired Japan Travel

Hearing-impaired woman refused access to Yokohama ropeway

In July in Naka-ku, Yokohama, a hearing-impaired woman tried to ride on a ropeway by herself, but was refused use because of her disability, according to an interview with a person concerned. It was reported that the business operator has stipulated in the manual that hearing-impaired people should not use it alone.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 28, 2021 0

Barrier Free Japan Travel

‘Keep-the-way-open’ rule on escalators at train stations in Japan remains a barrier to people with disabilities

Escalators at train stations in Japan suggest that on one side it is acceptable to stand and that it is acceptable to move on the other side. In Tokyo you stand on the left, leaving the right side free for people move, whilst in Osaka, the etiquette is reversed, you stand on the right side, leaving the left side for people to walk quickly. However, such an arrangement makes it difficult for people with disabilities to use escalators, especially at train stations where people are often in a rush.