Japan's move to make urban environments and transportation systems barrier-free came much later than other developed countries. However, in the decade since Japan's barrier-free transport law was enacted in 2001, the number of barrier-free stations has more than tripled. The transport ministry reported that 93 percent of major train stations are barrier-free as of the end of March.

The barrier-free movement has not been easy or simple to accomplish. As remodeling took place, every commuter in the country has been rerouted, jammed onto crowded platforms, and made to wait for staircases and escalators. When construction is completed, though, disabled passengers long denied access to stations, platforms and trains, will be able to get around more conveniently than ever before, and so will everyone else.

However, more remains to be done. Remodeling has been mainly at train stations with daily passenger volume of 5,000 or more. The ministry reported that of 2,813 stations surveyed, 2,603 are now equipped with elevators, ramps and other facilities to help disabled passengers. The remaining smaller stations, those with daily volume of 3,000 to 5,000 passengers still need to be improved. Redoing those will be even more difficult, working with cramped spaces and little room to maneuver.