Regional Workshop on Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF)
Bangkok, Thailand, 13-15 October 2004

Basic Program for Persons with Disabilities and The Five Year Plan

Presentation made by
Ms Mayuri Hirata, Special Assistant to the Permanent Representative of Japan to ESCAP, Embassy of Japan

A new “Basic Programme for Persons with Disabilities” was endorsed by the Cabinet on 24 December 2002. “The Five-Year Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures” which is in accordance with “The Basic Program” was also approved by the Headquarters for Promoting Measures for Persons with Disabilities. The contents of the BMF are of course covered both in the Program and The Five-Year Plan.

The Content of the Five-Year Plan

The Five-Year Plan includes priority measures, specific targets, and promoting means provided in Basic Programme for Persons with Disabilities that should be implemented during the first five years of the Programme term. The priority measures taken in the Five-Year Plan covers seven areas as follows:

1. Measures for improving activities and participation of persons with disabilities
2. Development of the community bases
3. Enhancement of measures for persons with mental disabilities
4. Enhancement of international cooperation in the Asian and Pacific regions
5. Promotion of Public Awareness
6. Education and training
7. Securing of employment and jobs

Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures

In respect to prioritized issues, a plan for implementation of priority measures provides specific targets which are written in actual figures and percentage with specific target year. The Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures are announced publicly and disseminated to the relevant people. Review of the Plan is continuously implemented and the result is being disclosed.

Examples:
In the area of physical barrier, there is one part in the Plan which states “To promote availability of lowered-floor buses to some 30% by 2005 and 100% by 2010.” Although the target years are 2005 and 2010, the government reviews the achievement every year to check how far we have achieved.

This kind of indicators applies to every areas, such as “To secure some 60,000 home helpers”, “To develop some 470 community livelihood support centers for persons with mental disabilities” and so on.

It can be emphasized that unified data within the country can make effective collection of data possible.

For the implementation the Five Year Plan, our government also places importance to the following four areas.

Ensuring cooperation and collaboration

To promote effective and comprehensive measures, collaboration of relevant administrative organizations is very important. Headquarters for Promoting Measures for Persons with Disabilities plays major role in coordination.

For the purpose of promoting comprehensive and systematic measures in the communities, the government supports local governments for establishing the Plans.

To provide equitable standards of services throughout Japan, cooperation with local governments, communities, organizations of persons with disabilities, private organizations like NPOs, employers' organizations etc is essential.

Evaluation and management of the Programme

The government examines the efficiency of the measures. It also attempts to take effective and appropriate measures through exchanging views with organizations of persons with disabilities and researching the needs.

Headquarters for Promoting Measures for Persons with Disabilities has been checking the progress of the Basic Programme and improved it as required, taking into consideration of the needs of persons with disabilities and socio-economic conditions.

Development of necessary legislation

Necessary legislation in the future is taken into consideration through reconsidering various laws and ordinances related to persons with disabilities.

Research and development and provision of information

Research and development and provision of information should be enhanced, including research for the needs, collection and provision of advanced measures for persons with disabilities both within Japan and in other countries.

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