Category: Wheelchair

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 14, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Japan Wheelchair

Suitcases and Wheelchairs in Japan: Together in Electric Dreams?

In March 2024, a Chinese student in Fukushima Ward in Osaka City was stopped by the police for using an ‘electric suitcase’ on the sidewalk. Since the woman’s suitcase could reach a maximum speed of 13 kph, the police classified the luggage as a motorized bicycle after noting that it has all the traits of a vehicle, therefore using such an ‘electric suitcase’ would be a potential violation of the Road Traffic Law and the Prefectural police referred the woman to prosecutors on suspicion of violating that law. This is the first time such a case has been sent to the prosecutors. However, if ‘electric suitcases’ “do not meet public safety standards” perhaps electric wheelchairs do not either, and denying electric wheelchairs on the sidewalk would deny many elderly and people with disabilities access to the world outside their home.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 15, 2024 1
Disability Japan Travel Wheelchair

Electric Wheelchair User Denied Boarding on Japan LCC ‘Peach’ Due to ‘Visible Battery’ Problem

On April 5th, a Taiwanese national with a physical disability attempted to board a Taiwan-bound flight of low-cost carrier (LCC) Peach Aviation (headquartered in Osaka Prefecture) at Naha Airport in Okinawa, but was denied boarding because the battery in their electric wheelchair was not visible from the outside. They complained that this was a discriminatory response, as airlines differ in their response to the issue of visual confirmation of batteries.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 24, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Entertainment Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun Wheelchair

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #10: Aeon Cinema Chain Apologizes Over Access Debacle

The day after Ryoko Nakajima made the post, Aeon Entertainment, which operates the cinema chain, issued an apology:

“It has come to our attention that an Aeon Entertainment employee made an inappropriate comment to a customer while assisting the customer to move to another location after the customer had finished watching a movie. We regret the incident and believe that it was caused by a lack of guidance to our employees.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 23, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Entertainment Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun Wheelchair

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #9: Social Media Responds to Wheelchair User’s Post about Cinema Access

The incident took place at an Aeon cinema in Tokyo, which is regularly used by Ryoko Nakajima, a wheelchair-using woman. TBS reported that: “The woman watched the movie not from the wheelchair-only space, but from a reclining seat with four steps.” When Ryoko Nakajima posted about this incident on social media, in which she said she would be refused admission to the cinema next time, it went viral. People on social media, or Social Network System (SNS) had a variety of opinions, here are some examples with the ‘poster’s’ name removed.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 22, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Entertainment Japan SNS Social Media Wheelchair

Social Media ‘X’ Responds to Wheelchair-User Ryoko Nakajima Posting About Tokyo Cinema Access Denial

An incident took place at an Aeon cinema in Tokyo, which is regularly used by Ryoko Nakajima, a wheelchair-using woman. TBS reported that: “The woman watched the movie not from the wheelchair-only space, but from a reclining seat with four steps.”

When Ryoko Nakajima posted about this incident on social media, in which she said she would be refused admission to the cinema next time, it went viral. People on social media, or Social Network System (SNS) had a variety of opinions, here are some examples with the ‘poster’s’ name removed.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 22, 2024 1
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Entertainment Japan Wheelchair

(Update) Wheelchair User Denied Accessible Space at Tokyo Cinema, Aeon Cinema Company Apologizes and Social Media Responds

When Ryoko Nakajima posted about this incident on social media, in which she said she would be refused admission to the cinema next time, it went viral.

The next day, Aeon Entertainment, which operates the cinema chain, issued an apology:

“It has come to our attention that an Aeon Entertainment employee made an inappropriate comment to a customer while assisting the customer to move to another location after the customer had finished watching a movie. We regret the incident and believe that it was caused by a lack of guidance to our employees.”

There were various opinions floating around on social media with some making statements like:

“Everyone wants to choose their favorite seat.”

“Is it normal to request assistance outside of work?”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 21, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Entertainment Japan Podcast Shog.A.I. Shimbun Wheelchair

Disability News Japan Podcast: The Shog-A.I. Shimbun #8: Wheelchair User Denied Accessible Space at Tokyo Cinema

The Shog-A.I. Shimbun goes to the movies, sort of…An incident took place at a cinema in Tokyo, which is usually used by a woman in a wheelchair. TBS reported that: “The woman watched the movie not from the wheelchair-only space, but from a reclining seat with four steps.”
The woman paid an additional fee and watched the movie in a reclining seat, rather than in the wheelchair-only space.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 1, 2024 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Japan Podcast Wheelchair

Disability News Japan Podcast: Japan’s Barrier Free Laws Regarding Wheelchair User Spaces to be Revised

Japan’s infrastructure ministry plans to create a nationwide rule requiring that 0.5 pct of seats at sports venues and theaters be reserved for wheelchair users. The central government’s move comes after many local governments have set their own wheelchair space requirements of 0.5 pct or more.