JR East hopes to make the Takanawa Gateway Station on its Yamanote Line a model for its future stations with cutting-edge technologies, but disability action groups in Japan have voiced concerns about ‘unstaffed’ stations before.
“According to the rail companies, space for one or two wheelchairs is available on each bullet train. Users are requested to reserve them by telephone or at JR counters at least two days before boarding, in principle. At the committee meeting, Akaba called the system “outrageous.”“
“The suspect in the Sagamihara massacre of disabled people, whilst saying he won’t “claim that I’m unable to take criminal responsibility”, according to The Mainichi Newspaper, shows ‘glimpses of anxiety’ as trial approaches in early January 2020.”
“Last year there were a series of incidents found where the employment rate in Japan fell below the 2.5% required by law, despite each ministry promoting the employment of people with disabilities. Disabled People International argues that there is a lack of awareness about employment of people with disabilities.”
“The attributes of the staff in charge is not related to the problem of discarding the material. It is inappropriate to be told that it took time to dispose of it because of the employment of persons with disabilities.”
“Abe, already under fire for inviting many of his supporters to state-funded annual cherry blossom-viewing parties, said the nonregular employee is a disabled worker on shortened work hours.”
“Trials have begun at Tokyo International Airport at Haneda to introduce next generation self-driving electric wheelchairs for helping elderly and other people move more easily to boarding gates after checking in.”
“Under questioning in parliament on Tuesday, Abe repeated this explanation, adding the shredding took place when it did “because of the work schedule of the disabled contractor in charge”.
“Some 900 million yen is expected to be necessary to carry out all items in the renovation plan. The Upper House barrier-free promotion project team hopes to include related costs in an upcoming draft supplementary budget for fiscal 2019.”
“A workshop was held in Saitama City to help volunteers at the Tokyo Olympics experience the lives of people with disabilities and learn how to guide them.”
Barrier Free Japan