PREFACE
In August 1993, due largely to eight years of continued efforts
on the part of the Japan National Assembly of Disabled Peoples'
International (DPI-Japan), the Ministry of Transport in Japan
finally issued a guideline that elevators must be installed in
railway stations which are newly built or renovated. In accordance
with this guideline, the Act on Buildings Accessible and Usable
for the Elderly and Physically Disabled was enacted. DPI-Japan
is proud to recognize that our movement has succeeded in raising
public awareness that accessibility is one of the fundamental
human rights.
With regard to improving physical accessibility, a request has
been made to the government to promote accessibility in public
buses. The members of DPI-Japan are actively participating in
the process of enacting the so-called welfare city-planning ordinance
in their municipalities.
Since the foundation of DPI-Japan, advocacy of human rights has
been the main focus of our activities. The violation of human
rights of persons with disabilities, e.g. violence in mental hospitals,
hysterectomies without consent in institutions for persons with
intellectual disabilities, and the insufficient amendment of the
Eugenic Protection Law, among others, are major issues we fight
against. All these problems have a long way to go before satisfactory
solutions can be found.
DPI-JAPAN'S COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST GOVERNMENT POLICIES
1.The National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities
In December 1995, the government announced The National Action
Plan for Persons with Disabilities--a seven-year plan from 1996
to 2002. The Plan holds that the focus of disability policy be
shifted from institutionalization to independent living, including
housing and transportation.
At first the Plan was drafted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
But in the end, the Prime Minister's office took leadership and,
therefore, all the ministries concerned drew up the Plan. It has
turned out well for the sector of persons with disabilities that
all the ministries concerned are to implement the Plan together
because a community-based welfare system requires also the improvement
of accessibility of transportation, housing and education, all
of which do not come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Health and Welfare.
In December 1995, just before the announcement of the Plan, five
organizations of and for persons with disabilities, namely: DPI-Japan,
Japan Council on Disabilities, Japan Federation of Organizations
of Physically Disabled Persons, Inclusion Japan (formerly Japanese
Parents Association for the Mentally Retarded Children ), and
the National Federation of Families with Mentally Ill in Japan
were invited to exchange views with then Prime Minister Tomiichi
Murayama and were requested to clarify targeted figures in the
Plan. There had been no previous agreement on those figures between
the government and the NGOs; but at last, the Plan was announced
with some figures. However, they were limited by the Ministry
of Finance and, therefore, did not fully satisfy the needs of
persons with disabilities.
DPI-Japan is now working on a proposal for a counterplan which
is based on the needs of persons with disabilities. The government
may revise the Plan in 1999 during its mid-term. We expect that
our raised voices will pressure the government to revise the Plan
into need-oriented measures.
2.Community Service for Persons with Disabilities at Municipalities
The Community Service for Persons with Disabilities at Municipalities
is one of the new programs included in the above-mentioned Action
Plan. The service is to be provided not within institutions but
within the community. Therefore, unless persons with disabilities
themselves take an active part in the organization that renders
the service, professionals will most likely take control over
them.
For persons with psychiatric disabilities, the service is called
"Community Service for Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities."
It is defined as service aimed at "supporting daily life,
giving counsel and assisting exchange with the community";
and the service is implemented by the rehabilitation center for
persons with psychiatric disabilities. Rehabilitation centers
have no know-how in supporting independent living because they
regard independent living as part of hospitalization and medical
treatment. On the contrary, community-based workshops and self-help
groups managed by persons with disabilities themselves usually
provide this kind of service and are trusted as well by other
persons with disabilities. The government should integrate these
organizations into the service program.
At the same time, independent living centers should be funded
by the central government. It is great progress for us to know
that the government has recognized the cooperation of persons
with disabilities as indispensable to the proper implementation
of the service. DPI-Japan could participate in this process of
drawing up this service program knowing that our voice has been
reflected in the contents of the service. DPI-Japan, together
with the Japan Council on Independent Living Center, recently
succeeded in making the central and local governments enter into
a contract with three independent living centers as the provider
of this Service.
3. Attendant Care System and Guarantee of Income
The attendant care insurance system, which is planned to be on
the agenda of the coming session of the Diet, is intended for
elderly people who need care. DPI-Japan will appeal for the law
to cover persons with disabilities under 65 years old. Through
our movement, the attendant care system should play the most important
role in welfare measures at both the central and local levels.
The national disability pension has been the only measure to guarantee
some income to those especially with severe physical disabilities.
Immediate action should be undertaken to establish some form of
income maintenance system for persons with disabilities to be
covered fully for life.
4.DPI Advocacy Center
Since advocacy has been one of the top priorities of DPI-Japan,
the DPI Advocacy Center was established last year.
Many barriers prevent persons with disabilities from living independently
in society, e.g. the inaccessibility of transportation and facilities,
and unemployment caused by prejudice. To break down these barriers,
the amendment of laws through the disability movement is needed.
Strategies adopted are filing a suit, as well as negotiating with
and appealing to the public.
There are a lot of violations of human rights under controlled
environments, such as institutions, hospitals and rehabilitation
centers. It is indispensable to establish a residents' union in
these institutions as this enables them to be empowered and to
intervene with an ombudsman. At the same time, institutions should
be open to the public.
Medical violence, such as the ill treatment of persons with psychiatric
disabilities and hysterectomy in women with disabilities without
their consent, is difficult to address on a personal level; therefore,
it is better to bring the matter to court.
An anti-discrimination law has not been enacted in Japan yet.
The legislative body should enact such a law and educate the public
through a DPI Advocacy Center
.
Though the Center was established in 1996, communication between
human rights specialists and persons with disabilities has not
been satisfactory. It is important that these human rights specialists
understand the violence which persons with disabilities face in
daily life. It is our hope that the DPI Advocacy Center is strengthened
through the close cooperation of these specialists and persons
with disabilities.
5.DPI World Assembly in 2002
At the general assembly of DPI-Japan in 1995, a resolution was
passed that Sapporo City stands as a candidate to host the DPI
World Assembly in 2002. Preparations have already begun. The government
and the DPI member organizations are requested to support our
initiatives.
THE ASIA AND PACIFIC DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS
In Japan, almost all of the conferences and cultural activities
concerning disability include in their titles or themes the "Asia
and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons." However, the Decade
itself is known only by name. Many in the field of disability
do not understand the concept of the Decade. The government itself
already feels it has done much for the Decade. However, I think
it can do more by emphasizing the promotion of international cooperation
with other Asian countries for the benefit of their disabled citizens.
Table DPI-Japan's Activities in 1996
| January | Dispatch of representatives to the DPI Asia-Pacific Leadership Training Seminar in Manila |
| May | Negotiation with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications concerning funding DPI-Japan's income-generation program in the Asia-Pacific Region |
| June | World Chairperson, Mr. Kalle Konkkola, was invited for a lecture tour all over Japan |
| General Assembly of DPI-Japan at Fukuoka City with 300 participants | |
| July | Negotiation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare concerning ill-treatment at the Yamatogawa Mental Hospital |
| August | Dispatch of Chairperson to the DPI World Council Meeting in Washington |
| September | Negotiation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare concerning disability policies in general |
| Mr. Koesbiono Sarmanhadi, Regional Chairperson, and Ms. Anuradha Mohit visited DPI-Japan | |
| October | Nationwide campaign for the demand for accessible transportation |
| Negotiation with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Construction concerning physical accessibility | |
| November | Dispatch of a mechanic to Kanglu Application Factory, China, for DPI-Japan's income-generation program in the Asia-Pacific Region |
| December | National Conference on Study of Disability Policies in Kobe City with 600 Participants |