Regional Workshop on Comprehensive National Plan of Action on Disability - Towards the Mid-point Review 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, 19-21 October 2005

Japanese National Plan of Action on Disability

(Case Study)

By
Prof. Ryosuke Matsui
Faculty of Social Policy & Administration
Hosei University

I. Recent Developments of the National Plan

In 1982 1st Long-term National Plan of Measures for Persons with Disabilities was developed in Japan, which corresponded to the UN Decade of Disabled Persons (1983~1992) and the World Program of Actions for Disabled Persons, 1882.

In 1993 2nd Long-term Plan of Measures for Persons with Disabilities was established, which corresponded to the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993~2002).

As a result of the revision of the Basic Law for Persons with Disabilities in 1993, which mandates the Government to establish a basic program concerning the measures for persons with disabilities in consultation with national organizations of/for persons with disabilities, the Government decided to designate the 2nd Long-term Plan as its 1st Basic Program concerning the Measures for Persons with Disabilities. The revised Basic Law also requires the Government to present an annual report on the implementation of the Basic Program to the Parliament, which is eventually published as the white paper on disability.

In 1995 the Government made a Seven-Year Plan for Persons with Disabilities (FY1996~2002) to which the Government established numerical targets to be achieved by the end of FY2002.

In 2002 the Government developed, in consultation with disability organizations, the 2nd Basic Program for Persons with Disabilities and also Five-Year Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures (FY2003~2012), which corresponds to the 2nd Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons(2003~2012).

In 2004 the Basic Law of Persons with Disabilities was revised again, which also mandates all local governments to make a basic program for persons with disabilities in consultation with local organizations of/for persons with disabilities and others.

II. Structure, Implementation and Evaluation of the 2nd Basic Program for Persons with Disabilities and the Five-Year Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures

1. 2nd Basic Program for Persons with Disabilities

1. Basic policy
   1. Promotion of a barrier-free society
   2. User-oriented support
   3. Development of measures in accordance with diversity of disabilities
   4. Promotion of comprehensive and effective measures
2. Priority measures
   1. Promotion of activities and participation of persons with disabilities
   2. Establishment of community bases for activities and participation of persons with disabilities
   3. Comprehensive approach to measures for persons with mental disabilities
3. Basic directions of sector-by-sector measures
   1. Promotion of public awareness
   2. Livelihood support
   3. Living environment
   4. Education and training
   5. Employment and work
   6. Health and medical treatment
   7. Information and communication
   8. International cooperation
4. System for promoting the Program
   1. Plan for implementation of priority measures
      In respect of priority issues, a plan for implementation of priority measures, provided specific targets and timetables, should be established for the purpose of promoting various measures steadily, based on the Basic Program for Persons with Disabilities. When the Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures is established, it will be publicly announced soon and disseminated to the relevant people. Review of the Plan should be continuously implemented and the result should be disclosed.
   2. Ensuring cooperation and collaboration
      To promote effective and comprehensive measures, collaboration of measures, taken by relevant administrative organizations under the leadership of Prime Minister, should be strengthened mainly by Headquarters for Promoting Measures for Persons with Disabilities.
      For the purpose of promoting comprehensive and systematic measures in the communities, the Government should provide support, in close cooperation with prefectural governments, to local governments for establishing the Plans, including those of broadened administrative areas.
      To provide equitable standards of services throughout Japan, cooperation with local governments should be promoted. In light of promotion of welfare in the communities, cooperation and collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities, voluntary organizations like NPOs, employers’ organizations, and local governments should be promoted.
   3. Evaluation and management of the Program
      The Government should examine the efficiency of the measures and take effective and appropriate measures through exchanging views with organizations with disabilities and researching their needs.
      Headquarters for Promoting Measures for Persons with Disabilities should continuously check the progress of the Basic Program and reconsider it as required, taking into consideration the needs and socio-economic conditions of persons with disabilities.
   4. Development of necessary legislation
      Necessary legislation in the future should be taken into consideration through reconsidering various laws and ordinances related to persons with disabilities.
   5. 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 in Japan and foreign countries.

2. Five-Year Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures

Priority measures and targets

1. Measures for improving activities and participation of persons with disabilities
   1. Prevention of diseases that would cause disabilities, and treatment and medical rehabilitation
   2. Research and development of assistive equipment and promotion of universal design
   3. Promotion of accessible information
      1. Elimination of digital divides
      2. Enhancement of provision of information
      3. Research and development
      4. Development of environments in accordance with revision of disqualifications for persons with disabilities
2. Development of the community bases
   1. Support for livelihood
      1. Enhancement of user-oriented system
      2. In-home care services
      3. Institutional services
   2. Living environments
      1. Town-building based on universal design
      2. Promotion of accessible house and building
      3. Promotion of accessible public transportation system and walking space
      4. Securing of traffic safety
      5. Promotion of availability of getting a driver’s license
      6. Securing of safety in life
3. Enhancement of measures for persons with mental disabilities
   1. Health and medical treatment
   2. Social welfare
      1. In-home care services
      2. Institutional services
4. Enhancement of international cooperation in the Asian and Pacific region
   1. Consideration for persons with disabilities in ODA
   2. Promotion of international cooperation through international organizations
5. Promotion of Public Awareness
6. Education and training
   1. Structuring of continuous consultation system
   2. Enhancement and diversification of function of specialized organizations
   3. High-quality education and research
   4. Promotion of accessible facilities
7. Securing of employment and jobs

3. Measures for promoting the Five-year Plan

In promoting the Five-Year Plan, appropriate response should be made in accordance with the needs of individual disabilities and socio-economic conditions, and the Five-Year Plan should be reviewed as needed.

For steady and effective promotion of the Five-Year Plan, Headquarters for Promoting the Measures for Persons with Disabilities should hold annual meeting to exchange views with organizations of persons with disabilities. Progress of the Plan should be examined and disclosed every fiscal year.

In promoting the Plan, the Headquarters should hold annual meeting in order to cooperate closely with all prefectural governments. Technical support should be provided to the local governments that have not yet established the Program for Persons with Disabilities so that the Program could be established in all local governments.

To develop comprehensive database concerning persons with disabilities by FY2004

III National Surveys on Persons with Disabilities

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has been conducting a nation-wide survey on persons with physical disabilities and a nation-wide basic survey on persons with intellectual disabilities every five years, and a nation-wide mental patient survey every three years. In addition the Ministry also has been conducting a nation-wide survey on the employment of persons with disabilities every 5 years.

And the results of these surveys can be utilized to assess the impact of the Basic Program for Persons with Disabilities and the Five-Year Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures.

IV Government Budget for Disability Measures in FY2005

The government budget for disability measures in FY2005 amounts to around 1.3 trillion yen (about 12.5 billion US dollars), which consists of the followings;

As the total government budget for FY2005 is around 81 trillion yen (about 0.76 trillion US dollars), the budget for the disability measures amounts to approximately 1.6% of the total budget.

V Role of Japan Disability Forum (JDF)

JDF was established in 2004 as a national disability network in Japan, which consists of 11 major national disability organizations. One of its major objectives is to promote and monitor the disability policies and measures in Japan, including the Basic Program for Persons with Disabilities and Five-Year Plan for Implementation of Priority Measures. JDF has been holding meetings with the relevant ministries and political parties to discuss disability issues as needed.

JDF has been actively took part in the Ad Hoc Committee on the Disability Convention as well as promoting BMF as a member of Asia and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) and also earlier enactment of an anti-discrimination law for persons with disabilities.

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