Nearly 90 percent of the public believes that disabled people still face discrimination in society, according to a recent survey by the Cabinet Office. That was six points higher than those answering the same in the last survey in 2007. Clearly, the general public feels strongly that people with disabilities need equal access to transportation, employment and all facilities.
Government statistics show that Japan has at least 6 million individuals, though some independent groups put the number as high as 7.5 million, with physical, mental or other disabilities — approximately one in 20 Japanese.
The issue is not confined to Japan. The World Health Organization reported in 2011 that nearly 1 billion people worldwide have a disabling condition. Japan, though, now has the public support necessary to make changes to improve conditions for people with disabilities.