COUNTRY REPORTS
OF
DPI-JAPAN
(JAPAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF DISABLED PEOPLES' INTERNATIONAL )
2004



1. Activities of from year 2003 until 2004
　January 2003, the national government suddenly announced the cutting down of personal assistance service for persons with disabilities (PWD). DPI Japan made collaboration with other seven big organizations of PWD and organize the negotiation body with a national government, Ministry of Labor and Welfare. After several closed secret meetings with a top career of the Ministry and eight top leaders of the disabled people’s organization, the government decided to withdraw the new proposal. In August, the government submitted another cutting plan to the some leaders of the disabled people’s organization, but strong opposition from the severely disabled PWD organization made the government to abandon once again successfully.
　In October 2004, the government proposed Independence Support Act instead of Monetary Support Act. All the PWDs preferred it to the previous one because there was no limitation in requesting services that to be arranged upon self-determination of PWDs. The background reasons explained from the government were: Monetary Support Act was severely affected by the overuse of PWDs, which resulted in shortage of allocated fund, and consequently this situation leads to the necessity of integration to the Long-tern Care Insurance that has a larger budget. As a result of our movements, integration of Independence Support Act was postponed until after 2009.
　This illustrates that PWDs need to accommodate themselves to the eligibility assessment for Long-tern Care Insurance, which does not guarantee the quality services. In the past two years, four demonstrations consisted by over 1,000 people were organized, plus uncountable ones of less people as well. DPI Japan and Japan Council of Independent Living Center were collaborated in order to organize the nationwide movement activities. In the middle of May 2005, the new law will be enacted.

2. UN Convention
　JDF (Japan Federation of Disability Organizations) was established in June, 2004. This organization is composed of most major disability-related organizations. DPI Japan takes in charge of the UN convention. Eight private foundation prepared fund to sponsor sending delegates to New York. Meeting among JDF, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance were arranged and drafted the standpoint of Japanese government, and the government pressed more in promoting it. In the Parliament, Mr. Eita Yashiro, a member of the House of Representatives chaired and organized the leagues of the House of the Representatives and senators to promote the UN convention. In this league, discussion about the anti-discrimination for the PWD following after the UN convention was established as well.

3. Other Noteworthy
　Through DPI Japan, we could make opinions of PWDs involved in the national projects including Nagoya International Airport and Aichi Expo from the planning stage by contracting with the government. The voices of more than 1,000 PWDs overall with different types of disabilities were delivered. Nagoya International Airport is now considered as the most accessible airport, and we would welcome you to enjoy it.

DPI-Japan Profile

Name of DPI National Assembly

Japan National Assembly of Disabled Peoples' International (DPI-Japan)

Address:

5F Musashino Bld., 3-11-8 Kanda-nishikicho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0054, Japan

Phone

81-3-5282-3730

FAX:

81-3-5282-0017

President

Mr. Satoru Misawa

Phone

E-Mail

office@dpi-japan.org

Names of Board Members:

President:
  • Mr. Satoru Misawa

Vice-President:
  • Mr. Toshio Kusunoki
  • Mr. Masaki Nishimura
  • Ms. Midori Hirano

Secretary General:
  • Mr. Koji Onoue

Treasurer:
  • Mr. Masaki Nishimura

Council members:
  • Ms. Yukiko Nakanishi
  • Mr. Shoji Nakanishi
  • Mr. Takeshi Komori
  • Mr. Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
  • Mr. Makoto Ohama
  • Mr. Toshihiro Higashi
  • Mr. Yoshiaki Imafuku

Achievement in the past 2 years (2002-2004)

1)Movement

2)UN Convention


3)Sub-Region

Recently, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare carries on a new welfare service system targeting persons with disabilities. However, we, DPI-Japan, predict that this new system will risk our community living. We have fought under the battle cries, "Don't let welfare services retreat!" and "Nothing about us without us"

- DPI Japam and Japan Council of Independent Living Center were collaborated in order to organize the nationwide movement activities.
　4 demonstrations consisted by more than 2,000 persons with and without disabilities from all over the country gathered for the Action for Disabilities Rights, a rally, a demonstration, and a lobbying parliamentarians.

Strong opposition from the severely disabled PWD organization made the government to abandon successfully (2003).

As a result of our movements, integration of Independence Support Act was postponed until after 2009(2004).

Sending the delegates of DPI-Japan to the New York meeting on UN convention as representative of the Japan Government.

- JDF(Japan Federation of Disability Organizations), composed of most major disability-related organizations, was established in June, 2004.
　DPI-Japan takes in charge of the UN convention committee.

- Eight private foundation prepared fund to sponsor sending delegates.

- Hold the sub-regional meeting once a year.

Women With Disabilities Movement

Started to organize Women with Disabilities Network.


　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　(translated by Taisuke Miyamoto)