Category: Nagoya

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 3, 2023 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Nagoya

We need to talk about Accessibility in Nagoya…

I like Nagoya, I have been to Nagoya and as the adage goes, some of my best friends are from Nagoya. However, after reading recent news stories about Nagoya; it is difficult not to conclude that Nagoya ‘has issues’, as I believe the young folk like to say, when it comes to disabilities. As early as 2018 for example, there were concerns about Nagoya Castle possibly becoming inaccessible to people with disabilities. There are also more recent concerns about access to the subway.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 29, 2023 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Nagoya Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Saga of Nagoya Castle’s Accessibility Issues Continues…

A group of legislators with disabilities requested on Aug. 21 that Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura consider installing an elevator going up to Nagoya Castle’s top floor, as the city aims to replace the current reinforced concrete castle keep with a wooden structure true to the building’s roots.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 15, 2023 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Nagoya Tourism

Wheelchair User Told to “Be Patient” at Public Meeting about ‘Barrier Free’ Access to Nagoya Castle

At the citizens’ debate on June 3rd, where the theme was barrier-free access, a man in a wheelchair expressed his opinion, calling for the installation of an elevator (EV) to the top floor of the castle tower. In response, other participants who were in favor of not requiring EVs used discriminatory expressions that insulted the physically disabled, and countered with comments such as “Be patient” and “You are being too impudent.” This comment was followed by applause from some in the audience.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 12, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Nagoya Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Nagoya Mayor apologizes for Discriminatory Remarks by Participants Toward the Disabled in ‘Barrier-Free Castle debate’

At a public debate held on June 3rd regarding barrier-free measures when restoring the wooden castle tower of Nagoya Castle, some participants said that an elevator that can go up to the top floor, which groups for the disabled and others are calling for, is unnecessary. Some were claiming that this was a discriminatory remark that made fun of people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 8, 2023 1
Barrier Free Japan Nagoya Tourism

Nagoya Castle ‘Hate Speech and Barrier Free Debacle’: A Timeline

Nagoya Castle ‘Hate Speech and Barrier Free Debacle’: A Timeline At a public debate held on June 3rd regarding barrier-free measures when restoring the wooden castle tower of Nagoya Castle, some participants said that an elevator that can go up to the top floor, which groups for the disabled and others are calling for, is unnecessary. Some were claiming that this was a discriminatory remark that made fun of people with disabilities. The restoration of Nagoya Castle has been debated since May 2018 when a proposal that the castle be rebuilt without an elevator – or other ‘accommodations’ for people with disabilities – prompting disability rights groups to write to Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura urging him to rethink the restoration plan.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 5, 2023 4
Barrier Free Japan Nagoya Tourism

Nagoya Mayor apologizes for discriminatory remarks by some participants in ‘Barrier-Free Castle debate’ toward people with disabilities

Mayor Kawamura is concerned that some participants made discriminatory remarks against people with disabilities at a public debate held on June 3rd regarding barrier-free measures for the Nagoya Castle tower, which the city of Nagoya is aiming to restore as a wooden structure. He apologized, saying that he should have called attention to it when speaking.