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© KYODOGov't surveying hotel wheelchair accessibility ahead of Olympics
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© KYODO
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Goodlucktoyou
Next should be public toilets.
kurisupisu
The accommodation of wheelchairs in space strapped Japan has never been a top priority.
Japan has been designed to facilitate quick turnover without much forethought about anything else.
My local station (an express stop)has disabled lavatories but not any escalators.
Tiny elevators allow very limited access to stores.
With such an aging population Japan needs to revamp so much of its infrastructure.
People visiting for the Olympics will be shocked at the lack of progress here.
Goodlucktoyou
If mass produced, as needed, elevators are easy and cheap. My local train station (JR) and those nearby don't have escators or lifts. 70 to 90 year olds have to take a taxi, about ¥1800 one way to the nearest station with a lift. Then take a train 2 stops. After my accident, I can really understand the hardship people physically challenges face.
Hotels are business, and need to have a quick shake-up. This is not about grabbing as much money in the Olympics, but about caring for an aging population that paid tax all their lives and rebuilt Japan after Japan was destroyed by imperialism mentality similar to Abe's.
Disillusioned
They really need to get into the train station as well. There are still many train stations in the Tokyo area that have very poor or no handicapped or elderly access. I've seen train staff carrying a wheelchair up stairs.
smithinjapan
Shouldn't this have already been decided a long time ago and started? THey're just going to hold panels, and discuss it, now? Come on, Japan!
pacint
Access has Improved since it became compulsory, still a few years till the deadline hits?
Not all stations(subway), etc are easy to upgrade they have to work with current station designs, limitations.
Worked with fellow staff who are confined to wheel-chairs and they saying is way better than decades ago.
Dango bong
um... it took getting the olympics to do this? this country has terrible facilities for the handicapped
pacint
Not sure why Olympics are mentioned, it became law to improve access 15yrs ago.
Law states a year by which it has to be done, set way before Tokyo Olympics were approved.
cucashopboy
pacint - and the situation is much better than in London post Olympics. In Japan, I have always been very impressed when watching station employees efficiently help wheelchair users onto trains then phone the destination station giving the carriage and the door number so that someone is waiting on the platform to help with getting off the train.
pacint
Agree, the system works(call ahead is needed), ditto for guide blocks for visually impaired, curbs that slope down at crossings and more.
since1981
Um, Paralympics! Why is money even being spent on a survey? You would think it's a given!
Wakarimasen
By the time this gets done wheelchairs will be hoverchairs.
Cricky
Ha ha a pleb with a clipboard shuffled around hotels.....good job he/she will rocket to a department head in no time.
Luddite
My local station has escalators, but they are switched off at 8pm. Obviously the railway company think less mobile passengers shouldn't be out at that time of night.
Dan Lewis
Is this the panel to determine the committee to decide the task force that overlooks the team in charge of introducing a plan for potential consideration?
mmwkdw
Central Tokyo does have a reasonably good amount of facilities for Wheelchair bound persons. More so, I would imagine than other Cities. It would be good, however to ensure that venues for the Para-Olympics are Wheelchair friendly...