Category: Barrier Free

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 12, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Kyushu Travel Unmanned Stations

Visually Impaired Plaintiffs Oppose JR Kyushu’s Unstaffed Stations After Blind Woman’s Death

A lawsuit challenging JR Kyushu’s move to make stations in Oita Prefecture unstaffed has intensified after plaintiffs, including people with disabilities, criticized the company for failing to fully investigate the 2022 death of a visually impaired elderly woman hit by a train at Tsukumi Station. At a briefing on August 11, they argued that unstaffing compromises passenger safety, with supporters submitting a petition of more than 23,000 signatures calling for stronger safety measures. JR Kyushu maintains that operational decisions are influenced by profitability, but plaintiffs insist that preventing passenger deaths must remain the railway’s foremost priority.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Nagoya Podcast Tourism

Discriminatory Comments Over Nagoya Castle Accessibility Towards Wheelchair User Prompts Mayor to Apologize [Podcast Episode]

Nagoya Mayor Hirosawa has apologized to disability groups for discriminatory comments made at a June 2023 public forum on barrier-free access in the planned wooden reconstruction of Nagoya Castle’s main keep. At the meeting, a wheelchair user’s request for an elevator was met with remarks such as “endure it” and “don’t confuse equality with selfishness,” along with a derogatory term, drawing applause from some attendees. Then-Mayor Kawamura and city officials present did not intervene, prompting public outrage. Following a review, the city pledged human rights training for staff, formal apologies, and measures to prevent a recurrence. Hirosawa said the city will work to balance historical authenticity with accessibility in the reconstruction plan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 9, 2025 1
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Japan Nagoya

Discriminatory Comments Over Nagoya Castle Accessibility Towards Wheelchair User Prompts Mayor to Apologize

Nagoya Mayor Hirosawa has apologized to disability groups for discriminatory comments made at a June 2023 public forum on barrier-free access in the planned wooden reconstruction of Nagoya Castle’s main keep. At the meeting, a wheelchair user’s request for an elevator was met with remarks such as “endure it” and “don’t confuse equality with selfishness,” along with a derogatory term, drawing applause from some attendees. Then-Mayor Kawamura and city officials present did not intervene, prompting public outrage. Following a review, the city pledged human rights training for staff, formal apologies, and measures to prevent a recurrence. Hirosawa said the city will work to balance historical authenticity with accessibility in the reconstruction plan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 2, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Blind Braille Disability Japan Tourism Travel

“Speaking” tactile sidewalks enrich lives of visually impaired

Tactile paving for people with visual impairments in Japan has recently been enhanced with audio guidance, as the developers of the technology aim to improve the lives of people with partial sight and assist sighted tourists. The new braille blocks are marked with black stickers in special patterns. By scanning the coded blocks with a smartphone camera and app, users can listen to audio information about the location and its surroundings.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 28, 2025 1
Barrier Free Disability Japan Ukraine

Japan provides support for children with disabilities in Ukraine

Japan has provided rehabilitation equipment to Ukraine to help support children with disabilities. More than 130 items are being delivered to the capital city of Kyiv through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The gear includes electric wheelchairs, and robot suits, which help wearers move their lower limbs with less effort. A handover ceremony was held at the rehabilitation center for children with disabilities in Kyiv on Tuesday 22nd July. Some children tried out the devices.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 16, 2025 1
Barrier Free Disability Employment Japan

Association for the Promotion of Employment for Persons with Disabilities Establishes Certification System, Aims for Healthy Industry Development

The Japan Association of Business Operators for the Promotion of Employment for Persons with Disabilities has launched a “Qualified Business Operator Certification System for Disability Support Services.” This new system requires member companies, who provide services like farms and satellite offices to facilitate the employment of persons with disabilities, to self-inspect their operations against 107 criteria. The aim is to ensure the healthy growth of the disability employment industry, which currently supports over 9,000 disabled individuals working for more than 1,500 companies. While acknowledging concerns that some companies may view these services merely as a means to meet employment quotas, JAPED believes this industry-wide self-regulation will improve service quality and promote meaningful employment for persons with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Sports

World’s 1st triple-amputee sailor across Pacific arrives in Japan

A British Army veteran who lost both legs and his left hand in Afghanistan made history Tuesday morning by becoming the first triple amputee to sail solo across the Pacific, reaching his destination in western Japan. Craig Wood, 34, who departed Mexico in March, sailed around 13,000 kilometers on a 12.5-meter custom-built aluminum catamaran for 90 days before arriving at Hiroshima Port.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 6, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan Podcast Politics

Japan’s PM Ishiba: “We must make it the norm to have spaces where people can interact with each other regardless of whether they have a disability” [Podcast Episode]

On May 30th, the Japanese government held the first event to deepen understanding of people with disabilities, “Tomotomo Festa 2025,” at the State Guest House in Motoakasaka, Tokyo. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, who attended the opening ceremony, said, “We must make it the norm to have spaces where people can interact with each other regardless of whether they have a disability or not.”