that fulfills a certain barrier-free level:; subsidies are provided for barrier-free renovations; public housing and Urban Renaissance Agency rental housing which are newly supplied on the basis of the housing rehabilitation project are rendered barrier-free by standard specification; and assistance and other options are available for the development of serviced housing for the elderly by private sector businesses and others.

Also for architectural structures used by the general public, including those such as the elderly and disabled, architecture to be over a certain scale are required to be accessible in accordance with the “Barrier-free Law” and approved specific buildings that meet certain requirements are eligible for support measures such as subsidy programs. For government facilities that are used by unspecified but many users, development is promoted in accordance with the standards for encouraging smooth travel for buildings based on the “Barrier-Free Law,” thereby ensuring that all people including the elderly and disabled can use the facilities safely, comfortably and smoothly. For this, initiatives are being carried out to reflect the opinions of facility users such as the elderly and disabled in facility development.

Figure II-7-1-2 Approvals of Architecture for Specified Designated Building in Accordance with the "Barrier-Free Law"

Fiscal year	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Number of certified plans (Fiscal year)	11	120	229	320	382	366	332	232	280	367	386	348	331	289	255	184	208	130	196	174	208
Number of certified plans (Total)	11	131	360	680	1,062	1,428	1,760	1,992	2,272	2,639	3,025	3,373	3,704	3,993	4,348	4,432	4,640	4,770	4,966	5,140	5,348

Source) MLIT

## (ii) Accessibility of Walking Spaces

In accordance with the Barrier-Free Act, areas, such as roads and station squares, that are connected to facilities, such as stations, government facilities, and hospitals, must ensure that everyone, including the elderly and disabled, are able to pass through comfortably. This is achieved by promoting the barrier-free design of pedestrian spaces through measures that include the following: creating wide sidewalks, reducing unevenness, slopes, and grades, eliminating utility poles, and laying down guiding blocks for the visually impaired.

## (iii) Accessibility of Urban Parks and Other Areas

For the development of urban parks, there are standards and subsidies under the “Barrier-free Law” for safe and comfortable usage, like eliminating grade disparities at entrances, exits, and passages as well as ensuring facilities such as restrooms are usable by those such as the elderly and disabled. Also, to ensure that anyone can enjoy natural spaces such as rivers and ports, development of waterfronts and renovation of passenger ship terminals for better accessibility are promoted as an integral part of town planning.

## (3) Promoting Universal Design for the Olympics and Paralympics

In order to promote the development of a society that adheres to the precepts of universal design (in terms of a full recognition of the need for accessibility and urban planning) in response to the impending arrival of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2020 and implement measures to leave behind a concrete legacy after the Games come to an end, a network of ministries and agencies with ties to Universal Design 2020 was set up in February 2016 under the purview of the Headquarters for the Promotion of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. This network will organize hearings involving the participation of disabled advocacy groups and is slated to issue, in August 2016, an interim summary for which feedback from disabled persons will be taken into account. By the end of 2016, a final summary for Universal Design 2020 is expected to be released.