Travel – Barrier Free Japan

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 17, 2020 0

Japan’s Transport Ministry plans to make Barrier-Free Services on Public Transport Mandatory

The ministry plans to make public transportation easily accessible to those with disabilities and the elderly by having the operators of taxis, buses and trains master how to use barrier-free equipment, such as slope boards for wheelchair users. A bill to revise a law on promoting the smooth transportation of elderly and disabled people will be submitted at the ordinary session of the Diet, Japan’s parliament, to be convened Monday.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 12, 2020 0

Blind Disability Japan Travel

Visually Impaired man falls on to tracks at JR Nippori Station, killed by train

In the early morning of January 11, a 53-year-old visually impaired man fell off his platform at JR Nippori Station in Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, and was killed by a train.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 21, 2019 0

Disability Japan Travel

Can’t wheelchair users make same-day bullet train seat reservations? [Mainichi Shimbun Opinion Article]

The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about the barriers wheelchair users can face on Japan’s shinkansen bullet train system.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 20, 2019 0

Disability Elderly Japan Travel

Japan Panel Proposes Driving Skills Test for Elderly

A panel of experts called on Japan’s National Police Agency on Thursday to introduce a system under which elderly drivers at high risk of causing accidents need to pass a driving skills test in order to renew their licenses.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 10, 2019 0

Disability Japan Travel Unmanned Stations

Despite concerns about access from disability groups, new JR Station to have AI guide robot and ‘unstaffed’ convenience store

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.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 9, 2019 0

Barrier Free Disability Travel

Japan’s Transport Minister calls current bullet train booking system for wheelchair users “outrageous”, to set up study group to improve accessibility

“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.”“

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 5, 2019 0

Disability Japan Travel

Self-Driving Wheelchairs Tested at Haneda Airport

“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.”