Osaka Expo to review barrier-free guidelines compiled without wheelchair user input
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition released the guidelines in September but had yet to hear from people with disabilities at that time, sources have said.
For the visually impaired, Japan's tenji blocks offer reassurance and support
The tactile paving invented in Okayama Prefecture more than 50 years ago has since gone global, becoming a familiar sight in cities from London to Sydney.
National Stadium designed with input from people with disabilities
The National Stadium was built with input from many parts of society to achieve a world-class universal design.
Toyota and Lixil develop mobile washroom for wheelchair users
The spacious private washroom, which can be pulled by a car, will also come in handy in times of disaster.
Japanese unit of IBM among group to test AI suitcase for guiding blind
A group of five companies including the Japanese unit of IBM Corp. are currently developing an artificial intelligence suitcase to help visually impaired people travel independently. A pilot test of a prototype was conducted at an airport in Japan on Monday. The small navigation robot, ...
Virus exacerbates challenges for people in Japan with disabilities
Social distancing recommendations, stay-at-home requests and use of masks can complicate day-to-day activities.
All shinkansen to have spaces for wheelchairs, Japan ministry says
The transport ministry said Tuesday that all of the country's shinkansen trains would create spaces for wheelchair users. The ministry will conduct tests by summer and work out the details, such as the size required for such spaces. It unveiled the plan as part of a ...
Wheelchairs developed by former Japanese Paralympian gaining attention ahead of Tokyo Games
Sports wheelchairs developed by a former Paralympian are drawing attention ahead of the Tokyo Games. "I want to disseminate Japanese technology throughout the world," says Yasuhiro Jinbo, a 49-year-old former member of the men's wheelchair basketball team. "I hope that wheelchair sports will become more ...
An Olympics crowdsourcing project may be the answer to making Japan a more accessible country
Tokyo is up against the clock when it comes to creating a city that's accessible for everyone. Its deadline? Next year's Olympic Games, though that really shouldn't matter when it comes to transforming Japan into a nation where anyone can use any space. Accessibility means ...
The land ministry plans to revise Japan’s standards for barrier-free hotels to increase the number of rooms suitable for wheelchair users ahead of the Olympics.
Goal to achieve full barrier-free access at major transport terminals by 2020 Olympics adopted
The government on Friday set a target of achieving full barrier-free access for the disabled at major train stations, bus terminals and airports ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics The step-free access rate at such facilities with more than 3,000 daily users on ...
