Gihei Takahashi, Professor Emeritus at Toyo University
Since my 20s, I have been involved in building projects aimed at improving accessibility for people with disabilities andhave actively participated in community-based volunteer activities.
In my 30s, I began participating in inclusive society-building projects and barrier-free/universal design initiatives led bynational and local authorities.
Currently, I am involved in the review of the legal system, the design of public facilities, and community renovation
projects, with the goal of creating buildings, cities, and living spaces that are equally accessible and attractive to allpeople.
Area of specialty: Architectural planning, living space planning, accessibility design, universal design, inclusive design
I hold a Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Tokyo (1993) and havebeen a first-class registered architect since 1975.
After graduating from the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Toyo University in 1972, I worked as
an assistant, lecturer, associate professor, and professor in the same department before assuming my current position in 2006.
• July 2000 - December 2009: Participated in the Task Force for Promoting Measures to Protect People with Disabilities under the Cabinet Office.
• Since August 2002: Member of the Committee for Selecting Individuals Who Have Contributed to Promoting Barrier-Free/Universal Design underthe Cabinet Office (serving as the chair of the Committee since 2012).
• April 2006 - March 2019: Professor at the Department of Human Environment Design, Faculty of Human Life Design, Toyo University.
• Since April 2019: Professor Emeritus at Toyo University• April 2009 - March 2013: Head of the Faculty of Human Life Design, Toyo University• June 2009 - June 2013: Chairman of the Japanese Association for an Inclusive Society (serving as the president of the Society since July 2013).
• Since June 2010: Chairman of the Tokyo Committee for Promoting the Creation of an Inclusive Society, Chairman of barrier-free/universal
design-related committees organized by the communities in the metropolitan Tokyo area.
• September 2014 - March 2022: Universal Design Advisor for NEW NATIONAL STADIUM JAPAN.
• March 2016 - February 2017: Member of the Accessibility Guideline Working Group for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics
Chairman of the Building Subcommittee for the 2020 Universal Design Action Plan under the Cabinet Secretariat• Since April 2016: Vice Chairman of the Accessibility Working Group for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics venues.
• Since September 2016: Chairman of the Committee for Revising the Act for Promoting Easily Accessible Public Transportation and Facilities forthe Aged and the Disabled (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) and the Building Design Standards.
• Since April 2017: Member of the Committee for Reviewing the Act for Promoting Easily Accessible Public Transportation and Facilities for theAged and the Disabled (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)• December 2018 - November 2022: Member of the Universal Design Review Council under the Cabinet Secretariat• Since April 2019: Member of the Committee for Promoting Barrier-free Access Through Wooden Restoration of Nagoya Castle (Special HistoricSite)• Since June 2019: Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Support Ambassador,• Since April 2023: Tokyo Para Sports Support Ambassador• Since March 2019: Vice Chair of the Accessibility Review Council under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism• Since December 2021: Member of the Universal Design Workshop, EXPO2025 Association

Major accomplishments as a Universal Design Advisor:•New Central Saitama Barrier-free Plan (1998)•NUMAZU HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAZA (2006)•Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital (2012)•

TOKYO METROPOLITAN GERIATRIC HOSPITAL (2012)•AEON Mall Higashikurume (2013)•New Mito City Hall (2018)•New National Stadium Japan (2019)•Hiroshima Stadium Park Project (2024)•And many more.

Major publications:•"Comfortable Toilets" (Co-author, 2022, KASHIWA SHOBO)•"Learning to Free Your Mind of Barriers" (Editor, 2020, SHOGAKUKAN)•"The Philosophy and Implementation of an Inclusive Society: Living in Harmony with People with Disabilities" (Sole author, 2019, SHOKOKUSHA Publishing)•"Wheelchair Encyclopedia" (Editor, 2018, Kinnohoshi)•"Discover Barrier-free Design in Your City!", vol. 1-6 (Editor and author, 2011, Komine Shoten)•"Universal Design That Enables Human Coexistence by Integrating Construction, Transportation, and Urban Planning" (Co-author, 2014, Gakugei Shuppan Sha).

•"Building Design Manual for Providing Built Environments That Can Accommodate the Needs of Elderly People and People with Disabilities" (Sole author, 1996,SHOKOKUSHA Publishing)