## Chapter 6: Building a Safe and Peaceful Society

## Section 1 – Realizing a Universal Society

### 1. Realization of barrier-free features based on the concept of universal design

With the mindset of universal design of “free and easy access everywhere and for everybody”, the measures in both hard and soft aspects are being enhanced and the realization of a universal society is being worked out based on the “Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation, etc. of Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, etc.” Measures include the construction of barrier-free public transport and buildings, the construction of unified and continuous barrier-free routes between facilities, the promotion of barrier-free hearts, and introduction of rapid enhancement aiming for gradual development through the participation of senior citizens and disabled persons, etc.

## (1) Construction of barrier-free public transport

The new barrier-free act obligates conformity to transportation smoothing standards for building new passenger facilities, large-scale reformation and new introduction of trains; and to bear the duty of endeavoring to conform to the same standards for existing facilities. At the same time, unified barrier-free enhancement suiting the basic concept formulated by municipalities is being pushed forward. In addition, subsidies for the construction of elevators in railway stations, the introduction of low-floor trains (LRV) for trams, and the non-step bus with standard specification approval are being implemented. Moreover, in order to further the promotion of citizens' understanding and cooperation towards senior citizens and

disabled persons, i.e. “barrier-free hearts”, soft measures are also being pushed forward actively, such as “barrier-free classes” for experiencing to assist the senior citizens and disabled persons or experiencing what they are undergoing.

Incorporation of barrier-free features into public transport facilitiesAs of March 31, 2008
Passenger facilities used by more than 5,000 passengers a day
Total number of facilities	Facilities meeting the smooth transportation standards in terms of elimination of differences in floor levels *1	Percentage of total
Railway stations	2,816	2,007	71.3%
Bus stops	43	36	83.7%
Passenger ship terminals	8	7	87.5%
Airport passenger facilities	21	19	90.5%
(100%)*2
Note1: "The elimination of differences in floor levels" has been evaluated in terms of compliance with Article 4 of the standard concerning the promotion of smooth transportation by public transport pursuant to the New barrier-free Act (including the width of passages, slopes, and the installation of elevators and escalators)Note2: Airport passenger facilities have already met all the standards in terms of slopes, and the installation of elevators and escalators for the handicapped, as of the end of March 2001.
Vehicles
Total number of vehicles, ships, and aircraft	Number of vehicles, ships and aircraft meeting the smooth transportation standards*	Percentage of total
Railway vehicle	52,225	21,570	41.3%
Bus	59,973
Low-floor bus	25,038	41.7%
Non-step bus	13,822	23.0%
Welfare taxivehicle	-	10,742	-
Passenger ship	906	149	16.4%
Aircraft	507	326	64.3%
Note: "The number of vehicles, ships and aircraft meeting the smooth transportation standards" has been evaluated in terms of compliance with the standard concerning the promotion of smooth transportation by public transport.Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

## (2) Construction of barrier-free living environments

## 1 ) Construction of barrier-free residential buildings

Support is being provided for the acquisition and reform of barrier-free housing concerning self-help and care for senior citizens and disabled persons. On top of this, public rental housing is being constructed with barrier-free standard specifications. At the same time, support is being provided to promote the supply of superior rental housing designed by private corporations for senior citizens in order to build a secure, safe and comfortable regional living environment for senior citizens and disabled persons.

Moreover, in the case of building something above a certain scale in buildings that are used by the unspecified general public or mainly senior citizens and disabled persons, the new barrier-free act obligates barrier-free construction. Also, tax exemption for approved and specified buildings complying with the prescribed standards as well as support measures such as subsidies are being implemented. Moreover, for government facilities, the development of high-level barrier-free office buildings and the barrier-free enhancement of existing office buildings are being carried out.